diff --git a/.github/pull_request_template.md b/.github/pull_request_template.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..063fcfe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/pull_request_template.md
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+## Description
+
+<!-- Please, provide a brief description of the changes you've made in this pull request. -->
+
+## Related Issues
+
+<!-- Links to related issues, fixed issues or partially addressed by this PR. -->
+
+## Changes
+
+<!-- List the main changes or features introduced by this PR -->
+
+## Screenshots (if applicable)
+
+<!-- Add any relevant screenshots or GIFs to showcase the changes visually -->
+
+## Checklist
+
+- [ ] I have tested these changes thoroughly.
+- [ ] My code follows the project's coding style.
+- [ ] I have added appropriate comments to my code, especially in complex areas.
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index ccea9ed..2410629 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -8,6 +8,9 @@
 `graphdb.auth.security.enabled` property, which prevents users from disabling security via the
 Workbench or REST API.
 - Added encryption at rest configuration
+- Added `publishNotReadyAddresses` to `service`, `headlessService`, `proxy.service` and `proxy.headlessService`.
+  Headless services default to `true` to allow cluster nodes to communicate before readiness probes pass,
+  enabling proper startup sequencing during rolling upgrades.
 
 
 ## Version 12.4.0
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e206e69..7b34aec 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -424,6 +424,7 @@ IMPORTANT: This is generated by helm-docs, do not attempt modifying it on hand a
 | headlessService.labels | object | `{}` |  |
 | headlessService.ports.http | int | `7200` |  |
 | headlessService.ports.rpc | int | `7300` |  |
+| headlessService.publishNotReadyAddresses | bool | `true` |  |
 | image.digest | string | `""` |  |
 | image.pullPolicy | string | `"IfNotPresent"` |  |
 | image.pullSecrets | list | `[]` |  |
@@ -557,6 +558,7 @@ IMPORTANT: This is generated by helm-docs, do not attempt modifying it on hand a
 | proxy.headlessService.labels | object | `{}` |  |
 | proxy.headlessService.ports.http | int | `7200` |  |
 | proxy.headlessService.ports.rpc | int | `7300` |  |
+| proxy.headlessService.publishNotReadyAddresses | bool | `true` |  |
 | proxy.initContainerDataPermissions.enabled | bool | `false` |  |
 | proxy.initContainerDataPermissions.securityContext.runAsNonRoot | bool | `false` |  |
 | proxy.initContainerDataPermissions.securityContext.runAsUser | int | `0` |  |
@@ -625,6 +627,7 @@ IMPORTANT: This is generated by helm-docs, do not attempt modifying it on hand a
 | proxy.service.loadBalancerSourceRanges | list | `[]` |  |
 | proxy.service.nodePort | string | `""` |  |
 | proxy.service.ports.http | int | `7200` |  |
+| proxy.service.publishNotReadyAddresses | bool | `false` |  |
 | proxy.service.type | string | `"ClusterIP"` |  |
 | proxy.startupProbe.failureThreshold | int | `120` |  |
 | proxy.startupProbe.httpGet.path | string | `"/proxy/ready"` |  |
@@ -672,6 +675,7 @@ IMPORTANT: This is generated by helm-docs, do not attempt modifying it on hand a
 | service.loadBalancerSourceRanges | list | `[]` |  |
 | service.nodePort | string | `""` |  |
 | service.ports.http | int | `7200` |  |
+| service.publishNotReadyAddresses | bool | `false` |  |
 | service.type | string | `"ClusterIP"` |  |
 | serviceAccount.annotations | object | `{}` |  |
 | serviceAccount.create | bool | `false` |  |
diff --git a/templates/graphdb/service-headless.yaml b/templates/graphdb/service-headless.yaml
index b5ebc54..1c56153 100644
--- a/templates/graphdb/service-headless.yaml
+++ b/templates/graphdb/service-headless.yaml
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ metadata:
   {{- end }}
 spec:
   clusterIP: None
+  publishNotReadyAddresses: {{ .Values.headlessService.publishNotReadyAddresses }}
   selector:
     {{- include "graphdb.selectorLabels" . | nindent 4 }}
   ports:
diff --git a/templates/graphdb/service.yaml b/templates/graphdb/service.yaml
index 06045bd..137c513 100644
--- a/templates/graphdb/service.yaml
+++ b/templates/graphdb/service.yaml
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ metadata:
   {{- end }}
 spec:
   type: {{ .Values.service.type }}
+  publishNotReadyAddresses: {{ .Values.service.publishNotReadyAddresses }}
   selector:
     {{- include "graphdb.selectorLabels" . | nindent 4 }}
   {{- if .Values.service.externalTrafficPolicy }}
diff --git a/templates/proxy/service-headless.yaml b/templates/proxy/service-headless.yaml
index f6b080d..53e0c4f 100644
--- a/templates/proxy/service-headless.yaml
+++ b/templates/proxy/service-headless.yaml
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ metadata:
   {{- end }}
 spec:
   clusterIP: None
+  publishNotReadyAddresses: {{ .Values.proxy.headlessService.publishNotReadyAddresses }}
   selector:
     {{- include "graphdb-proxy.selectorLabels" . | nindent 4 }}
   ports:
diff --git a/templates/proxy/service.yaml b/templates/proxy/service.yaml
index cb62b51..cf2ce49 100644
--- a/templates/proxy/service.yaml
+++ b/templates/proxy/service.yaml
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ metadata:
   {{- end }}
 spec:
   type: {{ .Values.proxy.service.type }}
+  publishNotReadyAddresses: {{ .Values.proxy.service.publishNotReadyAddresses }}
   selector:
     {{- include "graphdb-proxy.selectorLabels" . | nindent 4 }}
   {{- if .Values.proxy.service.externalTrafficPolicy }}
diff --git a/values.yaml b/values.yaml
index cd2cbb0..e87a720 100644
--- a/values.yaml
+++ b/values.yaml
@@ -679,6 +679,8 @@ service:
   externalIPs: []
   # Additional ports to expose with the Service.
   extraPorts: []
+  # Indicates that DNS records are created for not-ready Pods.
+  publishNotReadyAddresses: false
 
 # Configurations for GraphDB headless Service.
 # This Service is deployed regardless of the amount of .Values.replicas, so it exists for both single node and for cluster mode.
@@ -701,6 +703,9 @@ headlessService:
     rpc: 7300
   # Additional ports to expose with the Service.
   extraPorts: []
+  # Indicates that DNS records are created for not-ready Pods.
+  # Enabled so cluster nodes can communicate before readiness probes pass, allowing proper startup sequencing during rolling upgrades.
+  publishNotReadyAddresses: true
 
 ##############################
 # Persistence Configurations #
@@ -1418,6 +1423,8 @@ proxy:
     externalIPs: []
     # Additional proxy ports to expose with the Service.
     extraPorts: []
+    # Indicates that DNS records are created for not-ready Pods.
+    publishNotReadyAddresses: false
 
   # GraphDB cluster proxy headless Service configurations.
   # Ref: https://kubernetes.io/docs/concepts/services-networking/service/
@@ -1439,6 +1446,10 @@ proxy:
       rpc: 7300
     # Additional proxy ports to expose with the Service.
     extraPorts: []
+    # Indicates that DNS records are created for not-ready Pods.
+    # Enabled so cluster nodes can communicate before readiness probes pass, allowing proper startup sequencing during rolling upgrades.
+    # Ref: https://kubernetes.io/docs/concepts/services-networking/service/#publishnotreadyaddresses
+    publishNotReadyAddresses: true
 
   ##############################
   # Persistence Configurations #