diff --git a/pkg/apis/core/types.go b/pkg/apis/core/types.go
index da5b4cad1e8..835edb11ec6 100644
--- a/pkg/apis/core/types.go
+++ b/pkg/apis/core/types.go
@@ -616,6 +616,17 @@ const (
 	PersistentVolumeClaimVolumeModifyVolumeError PersistentVolumeClaimConditionType = "ModifyVolumeError"
 	// Volume is being modified
 	PersistentVolumeClaimVolumeModifyingVolume PersistentVolumeClaimConditionType = "ModifyingVolume"
+
+	// PersistentVolumeClaimUnused indicates whether the PVC is currently not in use by any Pod.
+	// When status is True, the PVC is not referenced by any non-terminal Pod.
+	// The lastTransitionTime indicates when the PVC last transitioned to being unused.
+	//
+	// Both in-use time and unused time duration indicated by this condition may be shorter or
+	// slightly longer than actual in-use time or unused time because of processing delays or
+	// when this feature was enabled in the cluster.
+	//
+	// Requires PersistentVolumeClaimUnusedSinceTime alpha featuregate
+	PersistentVolumeClaimUnused PersistentVolumeClaimConditionType = "Unused"
 )
 
 // +enum
diff --git a/pkg/controller/volume/pvcprotection/pvc_protection_controller.go b/pkg/controller/volume/pvcprotection/pvc_protection_controller.go
index e914da7699f..fb490ee22be 100644
--- a/pkg/controller/volume/pvcprotection/pvc_protection_controller.go
+++ b/pkg/controller/volume/pvcprotection/pvc_protection_controller.go
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ import (
 	metav1 "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/apis/meta/v1"
 	utilruntime "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/util/runtime"
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/util/wait"
+	utilfeature "k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/util/feature"
 	coreinformers "k8s.io/client-go/informers/core/v1"
 	clientset "k8s.io/client-go/kubernetes"
 	corelisters "k8s.io/client-go/listers/core/v1"
@@ -36,6 +37,7 @@ import (
 	"k8s.io/klog/v2"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/controller/util/protectionutil"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/controller/volume/common"
+	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/features"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/util/slice"
 	volumeutil "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/volume/util"
 )
@@ -115,6 +117,10 @@ type Controller struct {
 	pvcProcessingStore *pvcProcessingStore
 }
 
+var unusedSinceNowFunc = metav1.Now
+
+type podUsageCheckFunc func(logger klog.Logger, pod *v1.Pod, pvc *v1.PersistentVolumeClaim) bool
+
 // NewPVCProtectionController returns a new instance of PVCProtectionController.
 func NewPVCProtectionController(logger klog.Logger, pvcInformer coreinformers.PersistentVolumeClaimInformer, podInformer coreinformers.PodInformer, cl clientset.Interface) (*Controller, error) {
 	e := &Controller{
@@ -254,10 +260,20 @@ func (c *Controller) processPVC(ctx context.Context, pvcNamespace, pvcName strin
 		return err
 	}
 
+	if utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate.Enabled(features.PersistentVolumeClaimUnusedSinceTime) && pvc.DeletionTimestamp == nil {
+		isUsed, err := c.isBeingUsedWith(ctx, pvc, lazyLivePodList, c.podUsesPVCForUnusedSince)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if err := c.updateUnusedCondition(ctx, pvc, isUsed); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+
 	if protectionutil.IsDeletionCandidate(pvc, volumeutil.PVCProtectionFinalizer) {
 		// PVC should be deleted. Check if it's used and remove finalizer if
 		// it's not.
-		isUsed, err := c.isBeingUsed(ctx, pvc, lazyLivePodList)
+		isUsed, err := c.isBeingUsedWith(ctx, pvc, lazyLivePodList, c.podUsesPVCForDeletion)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -303,12 +319,63 @@ func (c *Controller) removeFinalizer(ctx context.Context, pvc *v1.PersistentVolu
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (c *Controller) isBeingUsed(ctx context.Context, pvc *v1.PersistentVolumeClaim, lazyLivePodList *LazyLivePodList) (bool, error) {
+func (c *Controller) updateUnusedCondition(ctx context.Context, pvc *v1.PersistentVolumeClaim, isUsed bool) error {
+	existingCondition := findCondition(pvc.Status.Conditions, v1.PersistentVolumeClaimUnused)
+
+	switch {
+	case isUsed && (existingCondition == nil || existingCondition.Status == v1.ConditionTrue):
+		// PVC was unused but is now in use -> set Unused=False
+		return c.setUnusedCondition(ctx, pvc, v1.ConditionFalse, "PodUsingPVC", "A pod is currently referencing this PVC")
+	case !isUsed && (existingCondition == nil || existingCondition.Status != v1.ConditionTrue):
+		// PVC is not in use and condition doesn't reflect that -> set Unused=True
+		return c.setUnusedCondition(ctx, pvc, v1.ConditionTrue, "NoPodsUsingPVC", "No pods are currently referencing this PVC")
+	default:
+		return nil
+	}
+}
+
+func (c *Controller) setUnusedCondition(ctx context.Context, pvc *v1.PersistentVolumeClaim, status v1.ConditionStatus, reason, message string) error {
+	claimClone := pvc.DeepCopy()
+	now := unusedSinceNowFunc()
+	newCondition := v1.PersistentVolumeClaimCondition{
+		Type:               v1.PersistentVolumeClaimUnused,
+		Status:             status,
+		LastTransitionTime: now,
+		Reason:             reason,
+		Message:            message,
+	}
+
+	if existing := findCondition(claimClone.Status.Conditions, v1.PersistentVolumeClaimUnused); existing != nil {
+		*existing = newCondition
+	} else {
+		claimClone.Status.Conditions = append(claimClone.Status.Conditions, newCondition)
+	}
+
+	_, err := c.client.CoreV1().PersistentVolumeClaims(claimClone.Namespace).UpdateStatus(ctx, claimClone, metav1.UpdateOptions{})
+	logger := klog.FromContext(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		logger.Error(err, "Error updating Unused condition in PVC status", "PVC", klog.KObj(pvc))
+		return err
+	}
+	logger.V(3).Info("Updated Unused condition in PVC status", "PVC", klog.KObj(pvc), "status", status)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func findCondition(conditions []v1.PersistentVolumeClaimCondition, condType v1.PersistentVolumeClaimConditionType) *v1.PersistentVolumeClaimCondition {
+	for i := range conditions {
+		if conditions[i].Type == condType {
+			return &conditions[i]
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (c *Controller) isBeingUsedWith(ctx context.Context, pvc *v1.PersistentVolumeClaim, lazyLivePodList *LazyLivePodList, podUsage podUsageCheckFunc) (bool, error) {
 	// Look for a Pod using pvc in the Informer's cache. If one is found the
 	// correct decision to keep pvc is taken without doing an expensive live
 	// list.
 	logger := klog.FromContext(ctx)
-	if inUse, err := c.askInformer(logger, pvc); err != nil {
+	if inUse, err := c.askInformer(logger, pvc, podUsage); err != nil {
 		// No need to return because a live list will follow.
 		logger.Error(err, "")
 	} else if inUse {
@@ -323,10 +390,10 @@ func (c *Controller) isBeingUsed(ctx context.Context, pvc *v1.PersistentVolumeCl
 	// Use a "lazy" live pod list: lazyLivePodList caches the first successful live pod list response,
 	// so for a large number of PVC deletions in a short duration, subsequent requests can use the cached pod list
 	// instead of issuing a lot of API requests. The cache is refreshed for each run of processNextWorkItem().
-	return c.askAPIServer(ctx, pvc, lazyLivePodList)
+	return c.askAPIServer(ctx, pvc, lazyLivePodList, podUsage)
 }
 
-func (c *Controller) askInformer(logger klog.Logger, pvc *v1.PersistentVolumeClaim) (bool, error) {
+func (c *Controller) askInformer(logger klog.Logger, pvc *v1.PersistentVolumeClaim, podUsage podUsageCheckFunc) (bool, error) {
 	logger.V(4).Info("Looking for Pods using PVC in the Informer's cache", "PVC", klog.KObj(pvc))
 
 	// The indexer is used to find pods which might use the PVC.
@@ -343,7 +410,7 @@ func (c *Controller) askInformer(logger klog.Logger, pvc *v1.PersistentVolumeCla
 		// We still need to look at each volume: that's redundant for volume.PersistentVolumeClaim,
 		// but for volume.Ephemeral we need to be sure that this particular PVC is the one
 		// created for the ephemeral volume.
-		if c.podUsesPVC(logger, pod, pvc) {
+		if podUsage(logger, pod, pvc) {
 			return true, nil
 		}
 	}
@@ -352,7 +419,7 @@ func (c *Controller) askInformer(logger klog.Logger, pvc *v1.PersistentVolumeCla
 	return false, nil
 }
 
-func (c *Controller) askAPIServer(ctx context.Context, pvc *v1.PersistentVolumeClaim, lazyLivePodList *LazyLivePodList) (bool, error) {
+func (c *Controller) askAPIServer(ctx context.Context, pvc *v1.PersistentVolumeClaim, lazyLivePodList *LazyLivePodList, podUsage podUsageCheckFunc) (bool, error) {
 	logger := klog.FromContext(ctx)
 	logger.V(4).Info("Looking for Pods using PVC", "PVC", klog.KObj(pvc))
 	if lazyLivePodList.getCache() == nil {
@@ -370,7 +437,7 @@ func (c *Controller) askAPIServer(ctx context.Context, pvc *v1.PersistentVolumeC
 	}
 
 	for _, pod := range lazyLivePodList.getCache() {
-		if c.podUsesPVC(logger, &pod, pvc) {
+		if podUsage(logger, &pod, pvc) {
 			return true, nil
 		}
 	}
@@ -379,7 +446,7 @@ func (c *Controller) askAPIServer(ctx context.Context, pvc *v1.PersistentVolumeC
 	return false, nil
 }
 
-func (c *Controller) podUsesPVC(logger klog.Logger, pod *v1.Pod, pvc *v1.PersistentVolumeClaim) bool {
+func (c *Controller) podUsesPVCForDeletion(logger klog.Logger, pod *v1.Pod, pvc *v1.PersistentVolumeClaim) bool {
 	// Check whether pvc is used by pod only if pod is scheduled, because
 	// kubelet sees pods after they have been scheduled and it won't allow
 	// starting a pod referencing a PVC with a non-nil deletionTimestamp.
@@ -395,6 +462,21 @@ func (c *Controller) podUsesPVC(logger klog.Logger, pod *v1.Pod, pvc *v1.Persist
 	return false
 }
 
+func (c *Controller) podUsesPVCForUnusedSince(logger klog.Logger, pod *v1.Pod, pvc *v1.PersistentVolumeClaim) bool {
+	if volumeutil.IsPodTerminated(pod, pod.Status) {
+		return false
+	}
+
+	for _, volume := range pod.Spec.Volumes {
+		if volume.PersistentVolumeClaim != nil && volume.PersistentVolumeClaim.ClaimName == pvc.Name ||
+			volume.Ephemeral != nil && ephemeral.VolumeClaimName(pod, &volume) == pvc.Name && ephemeral.VolumeIsForPod(pod, pvc) == nil {
+			logger.V(4).Info("Pod references PVC for unused tracking", "pod", klog.KObj(pod), "PVC", klog.KObj(pvc))
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
 // podIsShutDown returns true if kubelet is done with the pod or
 // it was force-deleted.
 func podIsShutDown(pod *v1.Pod) bool {
@@ -439,6 +521,10 @@ func (c *Controller) pvcAddedUpdated(logger klog.Logger, obj interface{}) {
 	}
 	logger.V(4).Info("Got event on PVC", "pvc", klog.KObj(pvc))
 
+	if utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate.Enabled(features.PersistentVolumeClaimUnusedSinceTime) && findCondition(pvc.Status.Conditions, v1.PersistentVolumeClaimUnused) == nil {
+		c.queue.Add(key)
+	}
+
 	if protectionutil.NeedToAddFinalizer(pvc, volumeutil.PVCProtectionFinalizer) || protectionutil.IsDeletionCandidate(pvc, volumeutil.PVCProtectionFinalizer) {
 		c.queue.Add(key)
 	}
@@ -482,7 +568,8 @@ func (*Controller) parsePod(obj interface{}) *v1.Pod {
 
 func (c *Controller) enqueuePVCs(logger klog.Logger, pod *v1.Pod, deleted bool) {
 	// Filter out pods that can't help us to remove a finalizer on PVC
-	if !deleted && !volumeutil.IsPodTerminated(pod, pod.Status) && pod.Spec.NodeName != "" {
+	if !utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate.Enabled(features.PersistentVolumeClaimUnusedSinceTime) &&
+		!deleted && !volumeutil.IsPodTerminated(pod, pod.Status) && pod.Spec.NodeName != "" {
 		return
 	}
 
diff --git a/pkg/controller/volume/pvcprotection/pvc_protection_controller_test.go b/pkg/controller/volume/pvcprotection/pvc_protection_controller_test.go
index d47edf7b415..e0506e48970 100644
--- a/pkg/controller/volume/pvcprotection/pvc_protection_controller_test.go
+++ b/pkg/controller/volume/pvcprotection/pvc_protection_controller_test.go
@@ -30,11 +30,15 @@ import (
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/runtime"
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/runtime/schema"
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/types"
+	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/util/version"
+	utilfeature "k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/util/feature"
 	"k8s.io/client-go/informers"
 	"k8s.io/client-go/kubernetes/fake"
 	clienttesting "k8s.io/client-go/testing"
+	featuregatetesting "k8s.io/component-base/featuregate/testing"
 	"k8s.io/klog/v2/ktesting"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/controller"
+	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/features"
 	volumeutil "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/volume/util"
 	"k8s.io/utils/dump"
 )
@@ -148,6 +152,21 @@ func withProtectionFinalizer(pvc *v1.PersistentVolumeClaim) *v1.PersistentVolume
 	return pvc
 }
 
+func withUnusedCondition(status v1.ConditionStatus, ts metav1.Time, pvc *v1.PersistentVolumeClaim) *v1.PersistentVolumeClaim {
+	pvc.Status.Conditions = append(pvc.Status.Conditions, v1.PersistentVolumeClaimCondition{
+		Type:               v1.PersistentVolumeClaimUnused,
+		Status:             status,
+		LastTransitionTime: ts,
+		Reason:             "NoPodsUsingPVC",
+		Message:            "No pods are currently referencing this PVC",
+	})
+	if status == v1.ConditionFalse {
+		pvc.Status.Conditions[len(pvc.Status.Conditions)-1].Reason = "PodUsingPVC"
+		pvc.Status.Conditions[len(pvc.Status.Conditions)-1].Message = "A pod is currently referencing this PVC"
+	}
+	return pvc
+}
+
 func deleted(pvc *v1.PersistentVolumeClaim) *v1.PersistentVolumeClaim {
 	pvc.DeletionTimestamp = &metav1.Time{}
 	return pvc
@@ -207,7 +226,8 @@ func TestPVCProtectionController(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	tests := []struct {
-		name string
+		name                     string
+		enablePVCUnusedSinceTime bool
 		// Object to insert into fake kubeclient before the test starts.
 		initialObjects []runtime.Object
 		// Whether not to insert the content of initialObjects into the
@@ -402,6 +422,188 @@ func TestPVCProtectionController(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 		},
 		//
+		// PVC UnusedSince condition — when feature gate is enabled
+		//
+		{
+			name:                     "feature enabled: unused PVC with no pods -> Unused=True condition set",
+			enablePVCUnusedSinceTime: true,
+			updatedPVCs:              []*v1.PersistentVolumeClaim{withProtectionFinalizer(pvc())},
+			expectedActions: []clienttesting.Action{
+				clienttesting.NewListAction(podGVR, podGVK, defaultNS, metav1.ListOptions{}),
+				clienttesting.NewUpdateSubresourceAction(pvcGVR, "status", defaultNS, withUnusedCondition(v1.ConditionTrue, metav1.Unix(123, 0), withProtectionFinalizer(pvc()))),
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name:                     "feature enabled: PVC already has Unused=True and is still unused -> no update",
+			enablePVCUnusedSinceTime: true,
+			updatedPVCs:              []*v1.PersistentVolumeClaim{withUnusedCondition(v1.ConditionTrue, metav1.Unix(100, 0), withProtectionFinalizer(pvc()))},
+			// PVC already has condition (index != -1), so pvcAddedUpdated does not enqueue it.
+			// No pod event to trigger re-evaluation. No actions expected.
+			expectedActions: []clienttesting.Action{},
+		},
+		{
+			name:                     "feature enabled: running pod references PVC with Unused=True -> condition set to False",
+			enablePVCUnusedSinceTime: true,
+			initialObjects: []runtime.Object{
+				withUnusedCondition(v1.ConditionTrue, metav1.Unix(100, 0), withProtectionFinalizer(pvc())),
+			},
+			updatedPod: withStatus(v1.PodRunning, withPVC(defaultPVCName, pod())),
+			expectedActions: []clienttesting.Action{
+				clienttesting.NewUpdateSubresourceAction(pvcGVR, "status", defaultNS, withUnusedCondition(v1.ConditionFalse, metav1.Unix(123, 0), withProtectionFinalizer(pvc()))),
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name:                     "feature enabled: PVC in use by running pod without condition -> Unused=False set proactively",
+			enablePVCUnusedSinceTime: true,
+			initialObjects: []runtime.Object{
+				withStatus(v1.PodRunning, withPVC(defaultPVCName, pod())),
+			},
+			updatedPVCs: []*v1.PersistentVolumeClaim{withProtectionFinalizer(pvc())},
+			expectedActions: []clienttesting.Action{
+				clienttesting.NewUpdateSubresourceAction(pvcGVR, "status", defaultNS, withUnusedCondition(v1.ConditionFalse, metav1.Unix(123, 0), withProtectionFinalizer(pvc()))),
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name:                     "feature enabled: deleting PVC -> condition not updated, finalizer removed",
+			enablePVCUnusedSinceTime: true,
+			updatedPVCs:              []*v1.PersistentVolumeClaim{deleted(withProtectionFinalizer(pvc()))},
+			expectedActions: []clienttesting.Action{
+				clienttesting.NewListAction(podGVR, podGVK, defaultNS, metav1.ListOptions{}),
+				clienttesting.NewUpdateAction(pvcGVR, defaultNS, deleted(pvc())),
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name:            "feature disabled: unused PVC with no pods -> no condition action",
+			updatedPVCs:     []*v1.PersistentVolumeClaim{withProtectionFinalizer(pvc())},
+			expectedActions: []clienttesting.Action{},
+		},
+		{
+			name:                     "feature enabled: unscheduled pending pod references PVC -> Unused=False set proactively",
+			enablePVCUnusedSinceTime: true,
+			initialObjects: []runtime.Object{
+				unscheduled(withPVC(defaultPVCName, pod())),
+			},
+			updatedPVCs: []*v1.PersistentVolumeClaim{withProtectionFinalizer(pvc())},
+			expectedActions: []clienttesting.Action{
+				clienttesting.NewUpdateSubresourceAction(pvcGVR, "status", defaultNS, withUnusedCondition(v1.ConditionFalse, metav1.Unix(123, 0), withProtectionFinalizer(pvc()))),
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name:                     "feature enabled: terminated (Succeeded) pod does not count as using PVC -> Unused=True set",
+			enablePVCUnusedSinceTime: true,
+			initialObjects: []runtime.Object{
+				withStatus(v1.PodSucceeded, withPVC(defaultPVCName, pod())),
+			},
+			updatedPVCs: []*v1.PersistentVolumeClaim{withProtectionFinalizer(pvc())},
+			expectedActions: []clienttesting.Action{
+				clienttesting.NewListAction(podGVR, podGVK, defaultNS, metav1.ListOptions{}),
+				clienttesting.NewUpdateSubresourceAction(pvcGVR, "status", defaultNS, withUnusedCondition(v1.ConditionTrue, metav1.Unix(123, 0), withProtectionFinalizer(pvc()))),
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name:                     "feature enabled: terminated (Failed) pod does not count as using PVC -> Unused=True set",
+			enablePVCUnusedSinceTime: true,
+			initialObjects: []runtime.Object{
+				withStatus(v1.PodFailed, withPVC(defaultPVCName, pod())),
+			},
+			updatedPVCs: []*v1.PersistentVolumeClaim{withProtectionFinalizer(pvc())},
+			expectedActions: []clienttesting.Action{
+				clienttesting.NewListAction(podGVR, podGVK, defaultNS, metav1.ListOptions{}),
+				clienttesting.NewUpdateSubresourceAction(pvcGVR, "status", defaultNS, withUnusedCondition(v1.ConditionTrue, metav1.Unix(123, 0), withProtectionFinalizer(pvc()))),
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name:                     "feature enabled: status update fails -> controller retries",
+			enablePVCUnusedSinceTime: true,
+			updatedPVCs:              []*v1.PersistentVolumeClaim{withProtectionFinalizer(pvc())},
+			reactors: []reaction{
+				{
+					verb:      "update",
+					resource:  "persistentvolumeclaims",
+					reactorfn: generateUpdateErrorFunc(t, 2),
+				},
+			},
+			expectedActions: []clienttesting.Action{
+				clienttesting.NewListAction(podGVR, podGVK, defaultNS, metav1.ListOptions{}),
+				clienttesting.NewUpdateSubresourceAction(pvcGVR, "status", defaultNS, withUnusedCondition(v1.ConditionTrue, metav1.Unix(123, 0), withProtectionFinalizer(pvc()))),
+				clienttesting.NewListAction(podGVR, podGVK, defaultNS, metav1.ListOptions{}),
+				clienttesting.NewUpdateSubresourceAction(pvcGVR, "status", defaultNS, withUnusedCondition(v1.ConditionTrue, metav1.Unix(123, 0), withProtectionFinalizer(pvc()))),
+				clienttesting.NewListAction(podGVR, podGVK, defaultNS, metav1.ListOptions{}),
+				clienttesting.NewUpdateSubresourceAction(pvcGVR, "status", defaultNS, withUnusedCondition(v1.ConditionTrue, metav1.Unix(123, 0), withProtectionFinalizer(pvc()))),
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name:                     "feature enabled: pod not in informer cache but exists in API -> Unused=False set proactively",
+			enablePVCUnusedSinceTime: true,
+			initialObjects: []runtime.Object{
+				withPVC(defaultPVCName, pod()),
+			},
+			informersAreLate: true,
+			updatedPVCs:      []*v1.PersistentVolumeClaim{withProtectionFinalizer(pvc())},
+			expectedActions: []clienttesting.Action{
+				clienttesting.NewListAction(podGVR, podGVK, defaultNS, metav1.ListOptions{}),
+				clienttesting.NewUpdateSubresourceAction(pvcGVR, "status", defaultNS, withUnusedCondition(v1.ConditionFalse, metav1.Unix(123, 0), withProtectionFinalizer(pvc()))),
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name:                     "feature enabled: one of two pods deleted, remaining pod keeps PVC in use -> Unused=False set proactively",
+			enablePVCUnusedSinceTime: true,
+			initialObjects: []runtime.Object{
+				withPVC(defaultPVCName, pod()),
+				withProtectionFinalizer(pvc()),
+			},
+			deletedPod: withPVC(defaultPVCName, withUID("uid2", podWithConfig("pod2", defaultNS))),
+			expectedActions: []clienttesting.Action{
+				clienttesting.NewUpdateSubresourceAction(pvcGVR, "status", defaultNS, withUnusedCondition(v1.ConditionFalse, metav1.Unix(123, 0), withProtectionFinalizer(pvc()))),
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name:                     "feature enabled: deleting PVC that already has Unused=True condition -> condition preserved when removing finalizer",
+			enablePVCUnusedSinceTime: true,
+			updatedPVCs: []*v1.PersistentVolumeClaim{
+				deleted(withUnusedCondition(v1.ConditionTrue, metav1.Unix(100, 0), withProtectionFinalizer(pvc()))),
+			},
+			expectedActions: []clienttesting.Action{
+				clienttesting.NewListAction(podGVR, podGVK, defaultNS, metav1.ListOptions{}),
+				clienttesting.NewUpdateAction(pvcGVR, defaultNS, deleted(withUnusedCondition(v1.ConditionTrue, metav1.Unix(100, 0), pvc()))),
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name:                     "feature enabled: pod deleted, PVC becomes unused -> Unused=True condition set",
+			enablePVCUnusedSinceTime: true,
+			initialObjects: []runtime.Object{
+				withProtectionFinalizer(pvc()),
+			},
+			deletedPod: withPVC(defaultPVCName, pod()),
+			expectedActions: []clienttesting.Action{
+				clienttesting.NewListAction(podGVR, podGVK, defaultNS, metav1.ListOptions{}),
+				clienttesting.NewUpdateSubresourceAction(pvcGVR, "status", defaultNS, withUnusedCondition(v1.ConditionTrue, metav1.Unix(123, 0), withProtectionFinalizer(pvc()))),
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name:                     "feature enabled: used PVC without finalizer -> Unused=False set then finalizer added",
+			enablePVCUnusedSinceTime: true,
+			initialObjects: []runtime.Object{
+				withPVC(defaultPVCName, pod()),
+			},
+			updatedPVCs: []*v1.PersistentVolumeClaim{pvc()},
+			expectedActions: []clienttesting.Action{
+				// First: condition set proactively (UpdateStatus on PVC without finalizer)
+				clienttesting.NewUpdateSubresourceAction(pvcGVR, "status", defaultNS, withUnusedCondition(v1.ConditionFalse, metav1.Unix(123, 0), pvc())),
+				// Then: finalizer added (Update on original PVC without condition)
+				clienttesting.NewUpdateAction(pvcGVR, defaultNS, withProtectionFinalizer(pvc())),
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name:                     "feature enabled: deleted PVC with finalizer and pod using it -> finalizer kept (existing behavior)",
+			enablePVCUnusedSinceTime: true,
+			initialObjects: []runtime.Object{
+				withPVC(defaultPVCName, pod()),
+			},
+			updatedPVCs:     []*v1.PersistentVolumeClaim{deleted(withProtectionFinalizer(pvc()))},
+			expectedActions: []clienttesting.Action{},
+		},
+		//
 		// Pod events
 		//
 		{
@@ -484,6 +686,15 @@ func TestPVCProtectionController(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	for _, test := range tests {
+		featuregatetesting.SetFeatureGateEmulationVersionDuringTest(t, utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate, version.MustParse("1.36"))
+		featuregatetesting.SetFeatureGateDuringTest(t, utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate, features.PersistentVolumeClaimUnusedSinceTime, test.enablePVCUnusedSinceTime)
+
+		origNowFunc := unusedSinceNowFunc
+		unusedSinceNowFunc = func() metav1.Time { return metav1.Unix(123, 0) }
+		t.Cleanup(func() {
+			unusedSinceNowFunc = origNowFunc
+		})
+
 		// Create initial data for client and informers.
 		var (
 			clientObjs    []runtime.Object
diff --git a/pkg/features/kube_features.go b/pkg/features/kube_features.go
index 5abad3e8d3b..f4ad988fb84 100644
--- a/pkg/features/kube_features.go
+++ b/pkg/features/kube_features.go
@@ -688,6 +688,12 @@ const (
 	// Enables relisting individual pods on-demand.
 	PLEGOnDemandRelist featuregate.Feature = "PLEGOnDemandRelist"
 
+	// owner: @ArvindParekh
+	// kep: https://kep.k8s.io/5541
+	//
+	// Adds an Unused condition to PersistentVolumeClaim status that indicates when the PVC was last used by a pod.
+	PersistentVolumeClaimUnusedSinceTime featuregate.Feature = "PersistentVolumeClaimUnusedSinceTime"
+
 	// owner: @haircommander
 	// kep: https://kep.k8s.io/2364
 	//
@@ -1667,6 +1673,10 @@ var defaultVersionedKubernetesFeatureGates = map[featuregate.Feature]featuregate
 		{Version: version.MustParse("1.36"), Default: true, PreRelease: featuregate.Beta},
 	},
 
+	PersistentVolumeClaimUnusedSinceTime: {
+		{Version: version.MustParse("1.36"), Default: false, PreRelease: featuregate.Alpha},
+	},
+
 	PodAndContainerStatsFromCRI: {
 		{Version: version.MustParse("1.23"), Default: false, PreRelease: featuregate.Alpha},
 	},
@@ -2476,6 +2486,8 @@ var defaultKubernetesFeatureGateDependencies = map[featuregate.Feature][]feature
 
 	PLEGOnDemandRelist: {},
 
+	PersistentVolumeClaimUnusedSinceTime: {},
+
 	PodAndContainerStatsFromCRI: {},
 
 	PodCertificateRequest: {AuthorizeNodeWithSelectors},
diff --git a/plugin/pkg/auth/authorizer/rbac/bootstrappolicy/controller_policy.go b/plugin/pkg/auth/authorizer/rbac/bootstrappolicy/controller_policy.go
index 47af5f7f488..13e7ea678d6 100644
--- a/plugin/pkg/auth/authorizer/rbac/bootstrappolicy/controller_policy.go
+++ b/plugin/pkg/auth/authorizer/rbac/bootstrappolicy/controller_policy.go
@@ -443,6 +443,7 @@ func buildControllerRoles() ([]rbacv1.ClusterRole, []rbacv1.ClusterRoleBinding)
 		ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{Name: saRolePrefix + "pvc-protection-controller"},
 		Rules: []rbacv1.PolicyRule{
 			rbacv1helpers.NewRule("get", "list", "watch", "update").Groups(legacyGroup).Resources("persistentvolumeclaims").RuleOrDie(),
+			rbacv1helpers.NewRule("update").Groups(legacyGroup).Resources("persistentvolumeclaims/status").RuleOrDie(),
 			rbacv1helpers.NewRule("list", "watch", "get").Groups(legacyGroup).Resources("pods").RuleOrDie(),
 			eventsRule(),
 		},
diff --git a/plugin/pkg/auth/authorizer/rbac/bootstrappolicy/testdata/controller-roles.yaml b/plugin/pkg/auth/authorizer/rbac/bootstrappolicy/testdata/controller-roles.yaml
index 0726efef5ff..dc2afa038a1 100644
--- a/plugin/pkg/auth/authorizer/rbac/bootstrappolicy/testdata/controller-roles.yaml
+++ b/plugin/pkg/auth/authorizer/rbac/bootstrappolicy/testdata/controller-roles.yaml
@@ -1128,6 +1128,12 @@ items:
     - list
     - update
     - watch
+  - apiGroups:
+    - ""
+    resources:
+    - persistentvolumeclaims/status
+    verbs:
+    - update
   - apiGroups:
     - ""
     resources:
diff --git a/staging/src/k8s.io/api/core/v1/types.go b/staging/src/k8s.io/api/core/v1/types.go
index 8e37bc8384e..c1c10f5ca39 100644
--- a/staging/src/k8s.io/api/core/v1/types.go
+++ b/staging/src/k8s.io/api/core/v1/types.go
@@ -669,6 +669,17 @@ const (
 	PersistentVolumeClaimVolumeModifyVolumeError PersistentVolumeClaimConditionType = "ModifyVolumeError"
 	// Volume is being modified
 	PersistentVolumeClaimVolumeModifyingVolume PersistentVolumeClaimConditionType = "ModifyingVolume"
+
+	// PersistentVolumeClaimUnused indicates whether the PVC is currently not in use by any Pod.
+	// When status is True, the PVC is not referenced by any non-terminal Pod.
+	// The lastTransitionTime indicates when the PVC last transitioned to being unused.
+	//
+	// Both in-use time and unused time duration indicated by this condition may be shorter or
+	// slightly longer than actual in-use time or unused time because of processing delays or
+	// when this feature was enabled in the cluster.
+	//
+	// Requires PersistentVolumeClaimUnusedSinceTime alpha featuregate
+	PersistentVolumeClaimUnused PersistentVolumeClaimConditionType = "Unused"
 )
 
 // +enum
diff --git a/test/compatibility_lifecycle/reference/feature_list.md b/test/compatibility_lifecycle/reference/feature_list.md
index f61b65c821f..a59e7c84edd 100644
--- a/test/compatibility_lifecycle/reference/feature_list.md
+++ b/test/compatibility_lifecycle/reference/feature_list.md
@@ -139,6 +139,7 @@
 | OpportunisticBatching | :ballot_box_with_check: 1.35+ |  |  | 1.35– |  |  |  | [code](https://cs.k8s.io/?q=%5CbOpportunisticBatching%5Cb&i=nope&files=&excludeFiles=CHANGELOG&repos=kubernetes/kubernetes) [KEPs](https://cs.k8s.io/?q=%5CbOpportunisticBatching%5Cb&i=nope&files=&excludeFiles=CHANGELOG&repos=kubernetes/enhancements) |
 | OrderedNamespaceDeletion | :ballot_box_with_check: 1.33+ | :closed_lock_with_key: 1.34+ |  | 1.30–1.33 | 1.34– |  |  | [code](https://cs.k8s.io/?q=%5CbOrderedNamespaceDeletion%5Cb&i=nope&files=&excludeFiles=CHANGELOG&repos=kubernetes/kubernetes) [KEPs](https://cs.k8s.io/?q=%5CbOrderedNamespaceDeletion%5Cb&i=nope&files=&excludeFiles=CHANGELOG&repos=kubernetes/enhancements) |
 | PLEGOnDemandRelist | :ballot_box_with_check: 1.36+ |  |  | 1.36– |  |  |  | [code](https://cs.k8s.io/?q=%5CbPLEGOnDemandRelist%5Cb&i=nope&files=&excludeFiles=CHANGELOG&repos=kubernetes/kubernetes) [KEPs](https://cs.k8s.io/?q=%5CbPLEGOnDemandRelist%5Cb&i=nope&files=&excludeFiles=CHANGELOG&repos=kubernetes/enhancements) |
+| PersistentVolumeClaimUnusedSinceTime |  |  | 1.36– |  |  |  |  | [code](https://cs.k8s.io/?q=%5CbPersistentVolumeClaimUnusedSinceTime%5Cb&i=nope&files=&excludeFiles=CHANGELOG&repos=kubernetes/kubernetes) [KEPs](https://cs.k8s.io/?q=%5CbPersistentVolumeClaimUnusedSinceTime%5Cb&i=nope&files=&excludeFiles=CHANGELOG&repos=kubernetes/enhancements) |
 | PodAndContainerStatsFromCRI |  |  | 1.23– |  |  |  |  | [code](https://cs.k8s.io/?q=%5CbPodAndContainerStatsFromCRI%5Cb&i=nope&files=&excludeFiles=CHANGELOG&repos=kubernetes/kubernetes) [KEPs](https://cs.k8s.io/?q=%5CbPodAndContainerStatsFromCRI%5Cb&i=nope&files=&excludeFiles=CHANGELOG&repos=kubernetes/enhancements) |
 | PodCertificateRequest |  |  | 1.34 | 1.35– |  |  | AuthorizeNodeWithSelectors | [code](https://cs.k8s.io/?q=%5CbPodCertificateRequest%5Cb&i=nope&files=&excludeFiles=CHANGELOG&repos=kubernetes/kubernetes) [KEPs](https://cs.k8s.io/?q=%5CbPodCertificateRequest%5Cb&i=nope&files=&excludeFiles=CHANGELOG&repos=kubernetes/enhancements) |
 | PodDeletionCost | :ballot_box_with_check: 1.22+ |  | 1.21 | 1.22– |  |  |  | [code](https://cs.k8s.io/?q=%5CbPodDeletionCost%5Cb&i=nope&files=&excludeFiles=CHANGELOG&repos=kubernetes/kubernetes) [KEPs](https://cs.k8s.io/?q=%5CbPodDeletionCost%5Cb&i=nope&files=&excludeFiles=CHANGELOG&repos=kubernetes/enhancements) |
diff --git a/test/compatibility_lifecycle/reference/versioned_feature_list.yaml b/test/compatibility_lifecycle/reference/versioned_feature_list.yaml
index 21c3cc31776..e6951bf2f31 100644
--- a/test/compatibility_lifecycle/reference/versioned_feature_list.yaml
+++ b/test/compatibility_lifecycle/reference/versioned_feature_list.yaml
@@ -1345,6 +1345,12 @@
     lockToDefault: true
     preRelease: GA
     version: "1.34"
+- name: PersistentVolumeClaimUnusedSinceTime
+  versionedSpecs:
+  - default: false
+    lockToDefault: false
+    preRelease: Alpha
+    version: "1.36"
 - name: PLEGOnDemandRelist
   versionedSpecs:
   - default: true
diff --git a/test/e2e/storage/csimock/csi_volume_expansion.go b/test/e2e/storage/csimock/csi_volume_expansion.go
index e8683b203f6..a257fa3b4e2 100644
--- a/test/e2e/storage/csimock/csi_volume_expansion.go
+++ b/test/e2e/storage/csimock/csi_volume_expansion.go
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ var _ = utils.SIGDescribe("CSI Mock volume expansion", func() {
 					framework.ExpectNoError(err, "while waiting for PVC resize to finish")
 
 					pvcConditions := pvc.Status.Conditions
-					gomega.Expect(pvcConditions).To(gomega.BeEmpty(), "pvc should not have conditions")
+					testsuites.ExpectNoResizeConditions(pvcConditions)
 				}
 
 				// if node expansion is not required PVC should be resized as well
@@ -331,7 +331,7 @@ var _ = utils.SIGDescribe("CSI Mock volume expansion", func() {
 				framework.ExpectNoError(err, "while waiting for all CSI calls")
 
 				pvcConditions := pvc.Status.Conditions
-				gomega.Expect(pvcConditions).To(gomega.BeEmpty(), "pvc should not have conditions")
+				testsuites.ExpectNoResizeConditions(pvcConditions)
 			})
 		}
 	})
@@ -392,7 +392,7 @@ var _ = utils.SIGDescribe("CSI Mock volume expansion", func() {
 				framework.ExpectNoError(err, "while waiting for PVC to finish")
 
 				pvcConditions := pvc.Status.Conditions
-				gomega.Expect(pvcConditions).To(gomega.BeEmpty(), "pvc should not have conditions")
+				testsuites.ExpectNoResizeConditions(pvcConditions)
 
 			})
 		}
@@ -699,7 +699,7 @@ func validateExpansionSuccess(ctx context.Context, pvc *v1.PersistentVolumeClaim
 	framework.ExpectNoError(err, "while waiting for PVC to finish")
 
 	pvcConditions := pvc.Status.Conditions
-	gomega.Expect(pvcConditions).To(gomega.BeEmpty(), "pvc should not have conditions")
+	testsuites.ExpectNoResizeConditions(pvcConditions)
 	allocatedResource := pvc.Status.AllocatedResources.Storage()
 	gomega.Expect(allocatedResource).NotTo(gomega.BeNil())
 	expectedAllocatedResource := resource.MustParse(expectedAllocatedSize)
diff --git a/test/e2e/storage/flexvolume_mounted_volume_resize.go b/test/e2e/storage/flexvolume_mounted_volume_resize.go
index 4e139f61a21..84415b12473 100644
--- a/test/e2e/storage/flexvolume_mounted_volume_resize.go
+++ b/test/e2e/storage/flexvolume_mounted_volume_resize.go
@@ -174,6 +174,6 @@ var _ = utils.SIGDescribe(feature.Flexvolumes, "Mounted flexvolume expand", fram
 		framework.ExpectNoError(err, "while waiting for fs resize to finish")
 
 		pvcConditions := pvc.Status.Conditions
-		gomega.Expect(pvcConditions).To(gomega.BeEmpty(), "pvc should not have conditions")
+		testsuites.ExpectNoResizeConditions(pvcConditions)
 	})
 })
diff --git a/test/e2e/storage/flexvolume_online_resize.go b/test/e2e/storage/flexvolume_online_resize.go
index a73f02bb5fd..d1915c8a4ac 100644
--- a/test/e2e/storage/flexvolume_online_resize.go
+++ b/test/e2e/storage/flexvolume_online_resize.go
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ var _ = utils.SIGDescribe(feature.Flexvolumes, "Mounted flexvolume volume expand
 		framework.ExpectNoError(err, "while waiting for fs resize to finish")
 
 		pvcConditions := pvc.Status.Conditions
-		gomega.Expect(pvcConditions).To(gomega.BeEmpty(), "pvc should not have conditions")
+		testsuites.ExpectNoResizeConditions(pvcConditions)
 	})
 })
 
diff --git a/test/e2e/storage/local_volume_resize.go b/test/e2e/storage/local_volume_resize.go
index 0afccfcd2b1..c389bcbb756 100644
--- a/test/e2e/storage/local_volume_resize.go
+++ b/test/e2e/storage/local_volume_resize.go
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ var _ = utils.SIGDescribe("PersistentVolumes-expansion", func() {
 			framework.ExpectNoError(err, "while waiting for fs resize to finish")
 
 			pvcConditions := testVol.pvc.Status.Conditions
-			gomega.Expect(pvcConditions).To(gomega.BeEmpty(), "pvc should not have conditions")
+			testsuites.ExpectNoResizeConditions(pvcConditions)
 		})
 
 	})
diff --git a/test/e2e/storage/testsuites/ephemeral.go b/test/e2e/storage/testsuites/ephemeral.go
index 42637c43c04..571d381b423 100644
--- a/test/e2e/storage/testsuites/ephemeral.go
+++ b/test/e2e/storage/testsuites/ephemeral.go
@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ func (p *ephemeralTestSuite) DefineTests(driver storageframework.TestDriver, pat
 			framework.ExpectNoError(err, "while waiting for fs resize to finish")
 
 			pvcConditions := pvc.Status.Conditions
-			gomega.Expect(pvcConditions).To(gomega.BeEmpty(), "pvc should not have conditions")
+			ExpectNoResizeConditions(pvcConditions)
 			return nil
 		}
 		l.testCase.TestEphemeral(ctx)
diff --git a/test/e2e/storage/testsuites/volume_expand.go b/test/e2e/storage/testsuites/volume_expand.go
index a349f627b11..349ae1c2dd6 100644
--- a/test/e2e/storage/testsuites/volume_expand.go
+++ b/test/e2e/storage/testsuites/volume_expand.go
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ func (v *volumeExpandTestSuite) DefineTests(driver storageframework.TestDriver,
 			framework.ExpectNoError(err, "while waiting for fs resize to finish")
 
 			pvcConditions := l.resource.Pvc.Status.Conditions
-			gomega.Expect(pvcConditions).To(gomega.BeEmpty(), "pvc should not have conditions")
+			ExpectNoResizeConditions(pvcConditions)
 			err = VerifyRecoveryRelatedFields(l.resource.Pvc)
 			framework.ExpectNoError(err, "while verifying recovery related fields")
 		})
@@ -339,7 +339,7 @@ func (v *volumeExpandTestSuite) DefineTests(driver storageframework.TestDriver,
 			framework.ExpectNoError(err, "while waiting for fs resize to finish")
 
 			pvcConditions := l.resource.Pvc.Status.Conditions
-			gomega.Expect(pvcConditions).To(gomega.BeEmpty(), "pvc should not have conditions")
+			ExpectNoResizeConditions(pvcConditions)
 
 			err = VerifyRecoveryRelatedFields(l.resource.Pvc)
 			framework.ExpectNoError(err, "while verifying recovery related fields")
@@ -419,7 +419,7 @@ func (v *volumeExpandTestSuite) DefineTests(driver storageframework.TestDriver,
 			framework.ExpectNoError(err, "while waiting for fs resize to finish")
 
 			pvcConditions := l.resource.Pvc.Status.Conditions
-			gomega.Expect(pvcConditions).To(gomega.BeEmpty(), "pvc should not have conditions")
+			ExpectNoResizeConditions(pvcConditions)
 
 			err = VerifyRecoveryRelatedFields(l.resource.Pvc)
 			framework.ExpectNoError(err, "while verifying recovery related fields")
@@ -557,15 +557,18 @@ func WaitForPendingFSResizeCondition(ctx context.Context, pvc *v1.PersistentVolu
 		}
 
 		inProgressConditions := updatedPVC.Status.Conditions
-		// if there are no PVC conditions that means no node expansion is necessary
-		if len(inProgressConditions) == 0 {
-			return true, nil
-		}
+		hasResizeCondition := false
 		for _, condition := range inProgressConditions {
-			conditionType := condition.Type
-			if conditionType == v1.PersistentVolumeClaimFileSystemResizePending {
+			if condition.Type == v1.PersistentVolumeClaimFileSystemResizePending {
 				return true, nil
 			}
+			if isResizeConditionType(condition.Type) {
+				hasResizeCondition = true
+			}
+		}
+		// if there are no resize-related PVC conditions that means no node expansion is necessary
+		if !hasResizeCondition {
+			return true, nil
 		}
 		return false, nil
 	})
@@ -601,6 +604,20 @@ func WaitForFSResize(ctx context.Context, pvc *v1.PersistentVolumeClaim, c clien
 	return updatedPVC, nil
 }
 
+func isResizeConditionType(t v1.PersistentVolumeClaimConditionType) bool {
+	return t == v1.PersistentVolumeClaimFileSystemResizePending ||
+		t == v1.PersistentVolumeClaimResizing ||
+		t == v1.PersistentVolumeClaimControllerResizeError ||
+		t == v1.PersistentVolumeClaimNodeResizeError
+}
+
+// ExpectNoResizeConditions verifies that only non-resize PVC conditions remain.
+func ExpectNoResizeConditions(pvcConditions []v1.PersistentVolumeClaimCondition) {
+	for _, condition := range pvcConditions {
+		gomega.ExpectWithOffset(1, isResizeConditionType(condition.Type)).To(gomega.BeFalseBecause("pvc should not have resize-related condition %q", condition.Type))
+	}
+}
+
 func verifyOfflineAllocatedResources(pvc *v1.PersistentVolumeClaim, allocatedSize resource.Quantity) error {
 	actualResizeStatus := pvc.Status.AllocatedResourceStatuses[v1.ResourceStorage]
 	if !checkControllerExpansionCompleted(pvc) {