Reservations not to be affected

The reservation provided for in this Act shall not affect any reservation made in favour of other backward classes or any other category in accordance with the law. Notwithstanding anything contained in sections 3 and 4, the claims of the persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes shall also be considered for the unreserved seats, appointments or posts which shall be filled on the basis of merit and where a person belonging to the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes is selected on the basis of merit, the number of seats, appointments or posts reserved for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes as the case may be, shall not in any way be affected.