Examinations for the Geshema degree are underway at Gaden Choeling Nunnery in McLeod Ganj. The first ever batch of 20 nuns are taking the fourth and final exam. 44 nuns from four nunneries are taking part; the 12-day session includes oral (debate) and written examination. This historic examination process was initiated following His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s call in 1995 for the need for the Geshema degree to be available for nuns.