diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 124bde53..bfa1de66 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -43,6 +43,16 @@ jobs:
           git fetch origin "${{ github.base_ref }}" --depth=1
           git diff --check "origin/${{ github.base_ref }}"...HEAD
 
+  issue-template-label-validation:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+        with:
+          python-version: "3.11"
+      - name: Validate issue template labels
+        run: python scripts/validate_issue_template_labels.py
+
   backend-lint:
     needs: detect-changes
     if: needs.detect-changes.outputs.run_backend == 'true'
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 2c3526b9..073eaa74 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -22,6 +22,24 @@ SecuScan is built for learning, defensive security workflows, and ethical testin
 
 When issue labels are available, look for tags such as `good first issue`, `documentation`, `frontend`, `backend`, `plugin`, `help wanted`, or `gssoc`.
 
+## Issue Template Label Maintenance
+
+Issue templates in `.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/` must only reference labels from the active repository taxonomy.
+
+When adding or updating issue template labels:
+
+- Use active label groups such as `type:*`, `area:*`, `priority:*`, and `level:*`.
+- Avoid deprecated labels such as `bug`, `feature`, `documentation`, and `help wanted`.
+- Keep template labels aligned with the labels used by maintainers and CI.
+
+Before opening a pull request that changes issue templates, run:
+
+```bash
+python scripts/validate_issue_template_labels.py
+```
+
+The CI workflow also runs this validation and will fail if an issue template references a label that is not included in the approved label taxonomy.
+
 ## Local Setup
 
 ### Prerequisites
diff --git a/scripts/validate_issue_template_labels.py b/scripts/validate_issue_template_labels.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..39e8a85f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/validate_issue_template_labels.py
@@ -0,0 +1,101 @@
+from pathlib import Path
+import re
+import sys
+
+VALID_LABELS = {
+    "type:bug",
+    "type:feature",
+    "type:docs",
+    "type:devops",
+    "type:security",
+    "type:testing",
+    "type:performance",
+    "type:refactor",
+    "area:ci",
+    "area:docs",
+    "area:backend",
+    "area:frontend",
+    "priority:low",
+    "priority:medium",
+    "priority:high",
+    "level:beginner",
+    "level:intermediate",
+    "level:advanced",
+}
+
+REPO_ROOT = Path(__file__).resolve().parents[1]
+TEMPLATE_DIR = REPO_ROOT / ".github" / "ISSUE_TEMPLATE"
+
+errors = []
+
+
+def extract_front_matter(content):
+    if not content.startswith("---"):
+        return ""
+
+    parts = content.split("---", 2)
+    if len(parts) < 3:
+        return ""
+
+    return parts[1]
+
+
+def parse_labels(raw_value):
+    raw_value = raw_value.strip().strip("\"'")
+
+    if raw_value.startswith("[") and raw_value.endswith("]"):
+        raw_value = raw_value[1:-1]
+
+    return [
+        label.strip().strip("\"'")
+        for label in raw_value.split(",")
+        if label.strip()
+    ]
+
+
+def extract_labels_from_front_matter(front_matter):
+    labels = []
+    lines = front_matter.splitlines()
+
+    for index, line in enumerate(lines):
+        match = re.match(r"^labels:\s*(.*)$", line)
+
+        if not match:
+            continue
+
+        value = match.group(1).strip()
+
+        if value:
+            labels.extend(parse_labels(value))
+            continue
+
+        for next_line in lines[index + 1:]:
+            stripped = next_line.strip()
+
+            if not stripped:
+                continue
+
+            if not stripped.startswith("-"):
+                break
+
+            labels.append(stripped[1:].strip().strip("\"'"))
+
+    return labels
+
+
+for template in list(TEMPLATE_DIR.glob("*.md")) + list(TEMPLATE_DIR.glob("*.yml")) + list(TEMPLATE_DIR.glob("*.yaml")):
+    content = template.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+    front_matter = extract_front_matter(content)
+    labels = extract_labels_from_front_matter(front_matter)
+
+    for label in labels:
+        if label not in VALID_LABELS:
+            errors.append("{}: invalid label '{}'".format(template.relative_to(REPO_ROOT), label))
+
+if errors:
+    print("Invalid issue template labels found:")
+    for error in errors:
+        print("- {}".format(error))
+    sys.exit(1)
+
+print("All issue template labels are valid.")
\ No newline at end of file