diff --git a/.github/pull_request_template.md b/.github/pull_request_template.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..fe308410bc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/pull_request_template.md
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+### Description
+[Describe what this change achieves]
+
+### Issues Resolved
+[List any issues this PR will resolve]
+
+### Check List
+- [ ] New functionality includes testing.
+  - [ ] All tests pass
+- [ ] New functionality has been documented.
+  - [ ] New functionality has comments added
+  - [ ] New functionality is added to `docs` folder
+- [ ] Commits are signed per the DCO using --signoff
+- [ ] Commit changes are listed out in CHANGELOG.md file (See: [Changelog](https://github.com/opensearch-project/opensearch-java/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md#changelog))
+
+By submitting this pull request, I confirm that my contribution is made under the terms of the Apache 2.0 license.
+For more information on following Developer Certificate of Origin and signing off your commits, please check [here](https://github.com/opensearch-project/opensearch-java/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md#developer-certificate-of-origin).
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 3850449a04..36bc8c0711 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -98,7 +98,6 @@ Adding in the change is a two step process -
 
 2. Update the entry for your change in [`CHANGELOG.md`](CHANGELOG.md) and make sure that you reference the pull request there.
 
-
 ## Review Process
 
 We deeply appreciate everyone who takes the time to make a contribution. We will review all contributions as quickly as possible. As a reminder, [opening an issue](https://github.com/opensearch-project/opensearch-java/issues/new/choose) discussing your change before you make it is the best way to smooth the PR process. This will prevent a rejection because someone else is already working on the problem, or because the solution is incompatible with the architectural direction.
diff --git a/java-client/build.gradle.kts b/java-client/build.gradle.kts
index abd053094f..307c75393b 100644
--- a/java-client/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/java-client/build.gradle.kts
@@ -74,6 +74,12 @@ tasks.withType<ProcessResources> {
     )
 }
 
+tasks.withType<Javadoc>().configureEach{
+    options {
+        encoding = "UTF-8"
+    }
+}
+
 tasks.withType<Jar> {
     doFirst {
         if (rootProject.extra.has("gitHashFull")) {
@@ -133,7 +139,7 @@ dependencies {
 
     val opensearchVersion = "2.3.0"
     val jacksonVersion = "2.13.4"
-    val jacksonDatabindVersion = "2.13.4"
+    val jacksonDatabindVersion = "2.13.4.2"
 
     // Apache 2.0
     implementation("org.opensearch.client", "opensearch-rest-client", opensearchVersion)