docs: Add release checklist step to reference the release-specific instructions file

.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release.md

@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ Target GA date: ___. __, ____
      Thanks to all the folks who spent their time contributing to this release in any way possible!
      ```
  - [ ] Monitor support channels for issues, cherry-picking bugfixes and docs fixes as appropriate during the RC period (or delegate this task to an Approver and coordinate timing)
+ - [ ] After creating the RC, open a documentation PR for the next minor version using [this](../../docs/operator-manual/templates/minor_version_upgrade.md) template.
 
 ## GA Release Checklist
 

docs/operator-manual/templates/minor_version_upgrade.md

@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+# vX.Y to X.Z
+
+## Breaking Changes
+
+<!-- What changed that could affect your setup:
+Deprecated flags / behavior removals 
+Deprecated fields 
+Other incompatible behavior or semantics changes between versions
+ (Add list here) -->
+
+## Behavioral Improvements / Fixes
+
+<!-- Operational stability and performance fixes:
+Minor stability, reconciler improvements, bug fixes -->
+
+## API Changes
+
+<!-- Changes in API surface:
+Any removal of fields or changed API defaults -->
+
+## Security Changes
+
+<!-- Changes in security behavior:
+Any removal of sensitive fields or changed authentication defaults -->
+
+## Deprecated Items
+
+<!-- Flags / behavior to be removed in future releases
+Any deprecated config API or CLI flags -->
+
+## Kustomize Upgraded
+
+<!-- Bundled Kustomize version bump:
+Any breaking behavior 
+Notes about specific upstream behavior changes (e.g., namespace propagation fixes). -->
+
+## Helm Upgraded
+
+<!--  Bundled Helm version bump:
+Any breaking behavior 
+Verify if your charts depend on any features tied to Helm versions. -->
+
+## Custom Healthchecks Added
+
+<!-- New built-in health checks added in this release:
+Add any new CRD health support added in this version. -->