diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release_template.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release_template.md
index 2cb98550fc..437251c028 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release_template.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release_template.md
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ __REPLACE with OpenSearch wide initiatives to improve quality and consistency.__
 ### Release testing - _Ends __REPLACE_RELEASE-minus-6-days___
 
 - [ ] Declare a release candidate build, and provide the instructions with the release candidates for teams on testing (__REPLACE_RELEASE-minus-8-days__).
+- [ ] Stop builds for this version of OpenSearch and/or OpenSearch Dashboards in order to avoid accidental commits going in unknowingly. Restart only if necessary else manually run the build workflow and declare new release candidate.
 - [ ] Sanity Testing (__REPLACE_RELEASE-minus-8-days__ - __REPLACE_RELEASE-minus-6-days__): Sanity testing and fixing of critical issues found by teams. Teams test their components within the distribution, ensuring integration, backwards compatibility, and perf tests pass.
 - [ ] Publish all test results in the comments of this issue.
 
@@ -81,11 +82,11 @@ __REPLACE with OpenSearch wide initiatives to improve quality and consistency.__
 
 - [ ] Create [release tags](https://github.com/opensearch-project/opensearch-build/blob/main/jenkins/release-tag/release-tag.jenkinsfile) for each component (Jenkins job name: release-tag-creation).
 - [ ] Replace refs in [manifests/{{ env.VERSION }}](/opensearch-project/opensearch-build/tree/main/manifests/{{ env.VERSION }}) with tags and remove checks.
+- [ ] If this is a major or minor version release, stop building previous patch version.
 - [ ] Generate distribution release notes reviewed by PM team for opensearch-build repository.
 - [ ] Increment version for Helm Charts [(sample PR)](https://github.com/opensearch-project/helm-charts/pull/246) for the `{{ env.VERSION }}` release.
 - [ ] Increment version for Ansible Charts [(sample PR)](https://github.com/opensearch-project/ansible-playbook/pull/50) for the `{{ env.VERSION }}` release.
 - [ ] Prepare [for next patch release](https://github.com/opensearch-project/opensearch-plugins/blob/main/META.md#increment-a-version-in-every-plugin) by incrementing patch versions for each component.
-- [ ] Lower the [frequency of builds](https://github.com/opensearch-project/opensearch-build/pull/1475) for this version of OpenSearch and/or OpenSearch Dashboards.
 - [ ] Update [this template](https://github.com/opensearch-project/opensearch-build/blob/main/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release_template.md) with any new or missed steps.
 - [ ] Create an issue for a retrospective, solicit feedback, and publish a summary.
 
@@ -93,7 +94,7 @@ __REPLACE with OpenSearch wide initiatives to improve quality and consistency.__
 
 __Replace with links to all component tracking issues.__
 
-| Component | On track | Notes |
+| Component | On track | Release Notes |
 | --------- | -------- | ----- |
 | {COMPONENT_ISSUE_LINK} | {INDICATOR}} | {STATUS} |