According to Krishna Khanal of Kathmandu's Tribhuvan University, Nepal's ethnic and caste groups are so many and so scattered that among the dozen or so states a federal Nepal might include it is only possible to create three with a clear identity.

ECONOMIST: Nepal's ethnic politics

Most importantly, the programme is an avenue for the social emancipation of women, ethnic minorities (Janajatis) and low caste groups (Dalits).

UNESCO: Community Library and Resource Centres

The new plan would set aside an additional 27% of places in educational institutions for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) - lower caste Hindus and other traditionally disadvantaged groups.

BBC: NEWS | South Asia | Court questions India quota offer

Discrimination on the basis of caste is now illegal and various measures have been introduced to empower disadvantaged groups and give them easier access to opportunities - such as education and work.

BBC: India profile

Delving into the relationship between caste and entrepreneurship, the researchers have found that scheduled castes and tribes, the most disadvantaged groups in Hinduism's hierarchy, owned very little businesses despite a decade of sprightly economic growth and a long history of affirmative action.

BBC: Caste and entrepreneurship in India