The UPSC Civil Services Mains examination includes two optional papers — Paper VI (Optional Paper I) and Paper VII (Optional Paper II) — each worth 250 marks, for a combined total of 500 marks out of 1,750 written marks. This makes the optional subject approximately 28.5% of the total written Mains score — the single largest subject-specific block in the exam.

Each paper is answered in a 3-hour sitting. The question pattern typically includes one compulsory Section A question and one compulsory Section B question, with a choice among the remaining questions (candidates attempt 5 out of 8 questions per paper). There is no negative marking in Mains.

Why it matters for rank: Successful candidates typically score 35-45% on each GS paper (roughly 87-112 marks out of 250). By contrast, a well-prepared optional candidate routinely scores 55-65% (275-325 out of 500). This 60-80 mark differential over GS papers is what separates top-100 ranks from top-500 ranks. The optional is therefore the single most powerful lever available to a Mains aspirant.