Reservation not to be affected.

Notwithstanding anything contained in section 4, the claims of students or members belonging to Educationally and Socially Backward Category (ESBC) shall also be considered for the unreserved seats, appointments or posts which shall be filled on the basis of merit, and where a student or member belonging to such category is selected on the basis of merit, the number of seats, appointments or posts reserved for the Educationally and Socially Backward Category (ESBC), as the case may be, shall not in any way be affected.