UPSC candidates can effectively tackle negative marking in the Preliminary Exam by employing strategic guessing and thorough preparation. Understanding the exam format helps aspirants prioritize attempting questions they are confident about first. To manage uncertainties, it’s advisable to avoid wild guesses and instead make educated guesses based on the elimination of obviously wrong options. Practicing with previous years' question papers and mock tests enhances familiarity and accuracy. This disciplined approach minimizes the risk associated with wrong answers, ultimately improving the chances of qualifying without significantly affecting the overall score.