<p>The <strong>IAS Prelims </strong>exam is the first hurdle you need to overcome on your journey to becoming an IAS officer. It&#39;s a competitive exam held annually by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to screen candidates for the main exam.</p>

<p><strong>1. What are the stages of the IAS Exam?<br /> A:</strong> The IAS Exam comprises three stages: Preliminary Examination (Prelims), Main Examination (Mains), and Personality Test (Interview).<br /> &nbsp;</p> <p><strong>2. How many attempts are allowed for the IAS Exam?<br /> A:</strong> The number of attempts varies based on the candidate&#39;s category: six attempts for the General category, nine attempts for OBC candidates, and unlimited attempts for SC/ST candidates until the upper age limit.<br /> &nbsp;</p> <p><strong>3. Is there any negative marking in the Prelims Exam?<br /> A:</strong> Yes, there is negative marking in the Prelims exam. One-third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer in the General Studies Paper I<br /> &nbsp;</p> <p><strong>4. How is the final ranking determined?</strong><br /> <strong>A:</strong> The final ranking is based on the marks obtained in the Mains exam and the interview (Personality Test). The Mains exam accounts for 1750 marks, and the interview carries 275 marks.<br /> &nbsp;</p> <p><strong>5. Can I write the IAS Exam in regional languages?<br /> A: </strong>Yes, candidates can write the Main Examination in English or any one of the scheduled languages mentioned in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.</p>