Introduction:
The Mathematics Optional subject in the UPSC exam is chosen by many aspirants due to its logical and analytical nature. It is essential to understand the marking scheme, especially when it comes to negative marks for wrong answers.

Negative Marking:
In the Mathematics Optional paper, there is no negative marking for wrong answers. This means that candidates won't lose any marks for attempting a question incorrectly or leaving it unanswered. In other words, candidates are not penalized for their mistakes.

Advantages of No Negative Marking:
The absence of negative marking in Mathematics Optional offers a few advantages to the candidates:

1. Encourages Attempting:
- Candidates are encouraged to attempt every question without the fear of losing marks.
- This helps in maximizing the potential score as they can take calculated risks and try to solve all the questions.

2. Reduces Stress:
- The absence of negative marking reduces the stress and anxiety levels of candidates during the exam.
- They can focus more on solving questions accurately rather than worrying about losing marks for wrong answers.

3. Promotes Learning:
- Since there is no penalty for wrong answers, candidates can learn from their mistakes without any fear of marks deduction.
- This promotes a deeper understanding of concepts and encourages the learning process.

4. Equal Opportunities:
- No negative marking ensures that all candidates have an equal opportunity to showcase their knowledge and skills.
- It eliminates the possibility of a candidate losing out on marks due to guessing or attempting a question incorrectly.

5. Time Management:
- The absence of negative marking allows candidates to manage their time more efficiently.
- They can focus on solving questions accurately rather than spending too much time on a single question, as there is no penalty for wrong answers.

Conclusion:
In the Mathematics Optional paper of the UPSC exam, there are no negative marks for wrong answers. This provides candidates with the freedom to attempt all the questions without the fear of losing marks. It encourages learning, reduces stress, and promotes equal opportunities. Candidates should make the most of this advantage by attempting all the questions and solving them accurately.