diff --git a/PROJECT b/PROJECT
index 8619f2be939..e321d617330 100644
--- a/PROJECT
+++ b/PROJECT
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ resources:
   path: github.com/opendatahub-io/opendatahub-operator/v2/apis/datasciencecluster/v1
   version: v1
   webhooks:
+    defaulting: true
     validation: true
     webhookVersion: v1
 version: "3"
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 294b406a009..4496f1bee72 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -327,6 +327,7 @@ spec:
       managementState: Managed
     modelregistry:
       managementState: Managed
+      registriesNamespace: "odh-model-registries"
     ray:
       managementState: Managed
     trainingoperator:
diff --git a/apis/datasciencecluster/v1/datasciencecluster_types.go b/apis/datasciencecluster/v1/datasciencecluster_types.go
index 58d680e70c9..39166651ac1 100644
--- a/apis/datasciencecluster/v1/datasciencecluster_types.go
+++ b/apis/datasciencecluster/v1/datasciencecluster_types.go
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/opendatahub-io/opendatahub-operator/v2/components/trainingoperator"
 	"github.com/opendatahub-io/opendatahub-operator/v2/components/trustyai"
 	"github.com/opendatahub-io/opendatahub-operator/v2/components/workbenches"
+	"github.com/opendatahub-io/opendatahub-operator/v2/controllers/status"
 	"github.com/opendatahub-io/opendatahub-operator/v2/pkg/cluster"
 )
 
@@ -86,6 +87,12 @@ type Components struct {
 	TrainingOperator trainingoperator.TrainingOperator `json:"trainingoperator,omitempty"`
 }
 
+// ComponentsStatus defines the custom status of DataScienceCluster components.
+type ComponentsStatus struct {
+	// ModelRegistry component status
+	ModelRegistry *status.ModelRegistryStatus `json:"modelregistry,omitempty"`
+}
+
 // DataScienceClusterStatus defines the observed state of DataScienceCluster.
 type DataScienceClusterStatus struct {
 	// Phase describes the Phase of DataScienceCluster reconciliation state
@@ -105,6 +112,10 @@ type DataScienceClusterStatus struct {
 	// List of components with status if installed or not
 	InstalledComponents map[string]bool `json:"installedComponents,omitempty"`
 
+	// Expose component's specific status
+	// +optional
+	Components ComponentsStatus `json:"components,omitempty"`
+
 	// Version and release type
 	Release cluster.Release `json:"release,omitempty"`
 }
diff --git a/apis/datasciencecluster/v1/zz_generated.deepcopy.go b/apis/datasciencecluster/v1/zz_generated.deepcopy.go
index cf315a2ee0a..f089d70e9ee 100644
--- a/apis/datasciencecluster/v1/zz_generated.deepcopy.go
+++ b/apis/datasciencecluster/v1/zz_generated.deepcopy.go
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ limitations under the License.
 package v1
 
 import (
+	"github.com/opendatahub-io/opendatahub-operator/v2/controllers/status"
 	conditionsv1 "github.com/openshift/custom-resource-status/conditions/v1"
 	corev1 "k8s.io/api/core/v1"
 	runtime "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/runtime"
@@ -52,6 +53,26 @@ func (in *Components) DeepCopy() *Components {
 	return out
 }
 
+// DeepCopyInto is an autogenerated deepcopy function, copying the receiver, writing into out. in must be non-nil.
+func (in *ComponentsStatus) DeepCopyInto(out *ComponentsStatus) {
+	*out = *in
+	if in.ModelRegistry != nil {
+		in, out := &in.ModelRegistry, &out.ModelRegistry
+		*out = new(status.ModelRegistryStatus)
+		**out = **in
+	}
+}
+
+// DeepCopy is an autogenerated deepcopy function, copying the receiver, creating a new ComponentsStatus.
+func (in *ComponentsStatus) DeepCopy() *ComponentsStatus {
+	if in == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	out := new(ComponentsStatus)
+	in.DeepCopyInto(out)
+	return out
+}
+
 // DeepCopyInto is an autogenerated deepcopy function, copying the receiver, writing into out. in must be non-nil.
 func (in *DataScienceCluster) DeepCopyInto(out *DataScienceCluster) {
 	*out = *in
@@ -149,6 +170,7 @@ func (in *DataScienceClusterStatus) DeepCopyInto(out *DataScienceClusterStatus)
 			(*out)[key] = val
 		}
 	}
+	in.Components.DeepCopyInto(&out.Components)
 	in.Release.DeepCopyInto(&out.Release)
 }
 
diff --git a/bundle/manifests/datasciencecluster.opendatahub.io_datascienceclusters.yaml b/bundle/manifests/datasciencecluster.opendatahub.io_datascienceclusters.yaml
index 761d550a5dc..da6d20509c6 100644
--- a/bundle/manifests/datasciencecluster.opendatahub.io_datascienceclusters.yaml
+++ b/bundle/manifests/datasciencecluster.opendatahub.io_datascienceclusters.yaml
@@ -443,7 +443,21 @@ spec:
                         - Removed
                         pattern: ^(Managed|Unmanaged|Force|Removed)$
                         type: string
+                      registriesNamespace:
+                        default: odh-model-registries
+                        description: Namespace for model registries to be installed,
+                          configurable only once when model registry is enabled, defaults
+                          to "odh-model-registries"
+                        maxLength: 63
+                        pattern: ^([a-z0-9]([-a-z0-9]*[a-z0-9])?)?$
+                        type: string
                     type: object
+                    x-kubernetes-validations:
+                    - message: RegistriesNamespace is immutable when model registry
+                        is Managed
+                      rule: (self.managementState != 'Managed') || (oldSelf.registriesNamespace
+                        == '') || (oldSelf.managementState != 'Managed')|| (self.registriesNamespace
+                        == oldSelf.registriesNamespace)
                   ray:
                     description: Ray component configuration.
                     properties:
@@ -633,6 +647,16 @@ spec:
           status:
             description: DataScienceClusterStatus defines the observed state of DataScienceCluster.
             properties:
+              components:
+                description: Expose component's specific status
+                properties:
+                  modelregistry:
+                    description: ModelRegistry component status
+                    properties:
+                      registriesNamespace:
+                        type: string
+                    type: object
+                type: object
               conditions:
                 description: Conditions describes the state of the DataScienceCluster
                   resource.
diff --git a/bundle/manifests/opendatahub-operator.clusterserviceversion.yaml b/bundle/manifests/opendatahub-operator.clusterserviceversion.yaml
index e7c9b7ec869..6989c2e8d7e 100644
--- a/bundle/manifests/opendatahub-operator.clusterserviceversion.yaml
+++ b/bundle/manifests/opendatahub-operator.clusterserviceversion.yaml
@@ -47,7 +47,8 @@ metadata:
                 "managementState": "Managed"
               },
               "modelregistry": {
-                "managementState": "Managed"
+                "managementState": "Managed",
+                "registriesNamespace": "odh-model-registries"
               },
               "ray": {
                 "managementState": "Managed"
@@ -1215,6 +1216,26 @@ spec:
       component: opendatahub-operator
   version: 2.17.0
   webhookdefinitions:
+  - admissionReviewVersions:
+    - v1
+    containerPort: 443
+    deploymentName: opendatahub-operator-controller-manager
+    failurePolicy: Fail
+    generateName: mutate.operator.opendatahub.io
+    rules:
+    - apiGroups:
+      - datasciencecluster.opendatahub.io
+      apiVersions:
+      - v1
+      operations:
+      - CREATE
+      - UPDATE
+      resources:
+      - datascienceclusters
+    sideEffects: None
+    targetPort: 9443
+    type: MutatingAdmissionWebhook
+    webhookPath: /mutate-opendatahub-io-v1
   - admissionReviewVersions:
     - v1
     containerPort: 443
diff --git a/components/modelregistry/modelregistry.go b/components/modelregistry/modelregistry.go
index 5d0610019e5..f05cbdd734a 100644
--- a/components/modelregistry/modelregistry.go
+++ b/components/modelregistry/modelregistry.go
@@ -29,22 +29,33 @@ import (
 const DefaultModelRegistryCert = "default-modelregistry-cert"
 
 var (
-	ComponentName = "model-registry-operator"
-	Path          = deploy.DefaultManifestPath + "/" + ComponentName + "/overlays/odh"
+	ComponentName                   = "model-registry-operator"
+	DefaultModelRegistriesNamespace = "odh-model-registries"
+	Path                            = deploy.DefaultManifestPath + "/" + ComponentName + "/overlays/odh"
 	// we should not apply this label to the namespace, as it triggered namspace deletion during operator uninstall
 	// modelRegistryLabels = cluster.WithLabels(
 	//      labels.ODH.OwnedNamespace, "true",
 	// ).
-	ModelRegistriesNamespace = "odh-model-registries"
 )
 
 // Verifies that ModelRegistry implements ComponentInterface.
 var _ components.ComponentInterface = (*ModelRegistry)(nil)
 
 // ModelRegistry struct holds the configuration for the ModelRegistry component.
+// The property `registriesNamespace` is immutable when `managementState` is `Managed`
+
 // +kubebuilder:object:generate=true
+// +kubebuilder:validation:XValidation:rule="(self.managementState != 'Managed') || (oldSelf.registriesNamespace == '') || (oldSelf.managementState != 'Managed')|| (self.registriesNamespace == oldSelf.registriesNamespace)",message="RegistriesNamespace is immutable when model registry is Managed"
+//nolint:lll
+
 type ModelRegistry struct {
 	components.Component `json:""`
+
+	// Namespace for model registries to be installed, configurable only once when model registry is enabled, defaults to "odh-model-registries"
+	// +kubebuilder:default="odh-model-registries"
+	// +kubebuilder:validation:Pattern="^([a-z0-9]([-a-z0-9]*[a-z0-9])?)?$"
+	// +kubebuilder:validation:MaxLength=63
+	RegistriesNamespace string `json:"registriesNamespace,omitempty"`
 }
 
 func (m *ModelRegistry) OverrideManifests(ctx context.Context, _ cluster.Platform) error {
@@ -109,17 +120,17 @@ func (m *ModelRegistry) ReconcileComponent(ctx context.Context, cli client.Clien
 
 		// Create model registries namespace
 		// We do not delete this namespace even when ModelRegistry is Removed or when operator is uninstalled.
-		ns, err := cluster.CreateNamespace(ctx, cli, ModelRegistriesNamespace)
+		ns, err := cluster.CreateNamespace(ctx, cli, m.RegistriesNamespace)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
-		l.Info("created model registry namespace", "namespace", ModelRegistriesNamespace)
+		l.Info("created model registry namespace", "namespace", m.RegistriesNamespace)
 		// create servicemeshmember here, for now until post MVP solution
 		err = enrollToServiceMesh(ctx, cli, dscispec, ns)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
-		l.Info("created model registry servicemesh member", "namespace", ModelRegistriesNamespace)
+		l.Info("created model registry servicemesh member", "namespace", m.RegistriesNamespace)
 	} else {
 		err := m.removeDependencies(ctx, cli, dscispec)
 		if err != nil {
diff --git a/config/crd/bases/datasciencecluster.opendatahub.io_datascienceclusters.yaml b/config/crd/bases/datasciencecluster.opendatahub.io_datascienceclusters.yaml
index 327c95af25a..41d1c76d658 100644
--- a/config/crd/bases/datasciencecluster.opendatahub.io_datascienceclusters.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/bases/datasciencecluster.opendatahub.io_datascienceclusters.yaml
@@ -443,7 +443,21 @@ spec:
                         - Removed
                         pattern: ^(Managed|Unmanaged|Force|Removed)$
                         type: string
+                      registriesNamespace:
+                        default: odh-model-registries
+                        description: Namespace for model registries to be installed,
+                          configurable only once when model registry is enabled, defaults
+                          to "odh-model-registries"
+                        maxLength: 63
+                        pattern: ^([a-z0-9]([-a-z0-9]*[a-z0-9])?)?$
+                        type: string
                     type: object
+                    x-kubernetes-validations:
+                    - message: RegistriesNamespace is immutable when model registry
+                        is Managed
+                      rule: (self.managementState != 'Managed') || (oldSelf.registriesNamespace
+                        == '') || (oldSelf.managementState != 'Managed')|| (self.registriesNamespace
+                        == oldSelf.registriesNamespace)
                   ray:
                     description: Ray component configuration.
                     properties:
@@ -633,6 +647,16 @@ spec:
           status:
             description: DataScienceClusterStatus defines the observed state of DataScienceCluster.
             properties:
+              components:
+                description: Expose component's specific status
+                properties:
+                  modelregistry:
+                    description: ModelRegistry component status
+                    properties:
+                      registriesNamespace:
+                        type: string
+                    type: object
+                type: object
               conditions:
                 description: Conditions describes the state of the DataScienceCluster
                   resource.
diff --git a/config/samples/datasciencecluster_v1_datasciencecluster.yaml b/config/samples/datasciencecluster_v1_datasciencecluster.yaml
index ed5971d37e6..626fc5442d1 100644
--- a/config/samples/datasciencecluster_v1_datasciencecluster.yaml
+++ b/config/samples/datasciencecluster_v1_datasciencecluster.yaml
@@ -42,3 +42,4 @@ spec:
       managementState: "Managed"
     modelregistry:
       managementState: "Managed"
+      registriesNamespace: "odh-model-registries"
diff --git a/config/webhook/kustomizeconfig.yaml b/config/webhook/kustomizeconfig.yaml
index e809f78208e..25e21e3c963 100644
--- a/config/webhook/kustomizeconfig.yaml
+++ b/config/webhook/kustomizeconfig.yaml
@@ -4,11 +4,18 @@ nameReference:
 - kind: Service
   version: v1
   fieldSpecs:
+  - kind: MutatingWebhookConfiguration
+    group: admissionregistration.k8s.io
+    path: webhooks/clientConfig/service/name
   - kind: ValidatingWebhookConfiguration
     group: admissionregistration.k8s.io
     path: webhooks/clientConfig/service/name
 
 namespace:
+- kind: MutatingWebhookConfiguration
+  group: admissionregistration.k8s.io
+  path: webhooks/clientConfig/service/namespace
+  create: true
 - kind: ValidatingWebhookConfiguration
   group: admissionregistration.k8s.io
   path: webhooks/clientConfig/service/namespace
diff --git a/config/webhook/manifests.yaml b/config/webhook/manifests.yaml
index 3dcfb31f3e3..9c1174d5173 100644
--- a/config/webhook/manifests.yaml
+++ b/config/webhook/manifests.yaml
@@ -1,5 +1,31 @@
 ---
 apiVersion: admissionregistration.k8s.io/v1
+kind: MutatingWebhookConfiguration
+metadata:
+  name: mutating-webhook-configuration
+webhooks:
+- admissionReviewVersions:
+  - v1
+  clientConfig:
+    service:
+      name: webhook-service
+      namespace: system
+      path: /mutate-opendatahub-io-v1
+  failurePolicy: Fail
+  name: mutate.operator.opendatahub.io
+  rules:
+  - apiGroups:
+    - datasciencecluster.opendatahub.io
+    apiVersions:
+    - v1
+    operations:
+    - CREATE
+    - UPDATE
+    resources:
+    - datascienceclusters
+  sideEffects: None
+---
+apiVersion: admissionregistration.k8s.io/v1
 kind: ValidatingWebhookConfiguration
 metadata:
   name: validating-webhook-configuration
diff --git a/controllers/datasciencecluster/datasciencecluster_controller.go b/controllers/datasciencecluster/datasciencecluster_controller.go
index 088f3e308d9..1be0f830877 100644
--- a/controllers/datasciencecluster/datasciencecluster_controller.go
+++ b/controllers/datasciencecluster/datasciencecluster_controller.go
@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ import (
 	dsciv1 "github.com/opendatahub-io/opendatahub-operator/v2/apis/dscinitialization/v1"
 	"github.com/opendatahub-io/opendatahub-operator/v2/components"
 	"github.com/opendatahub-io/opendatahub-operator/v2/components/datasciencepipelines"
+	"github.com/opendatahub-io/opendatahub-operator/v2/components/modelregistry"
 	"github.com/opendatahub-io/opendatahub-operator/v2/controllers/status"
 	"github.com/opendatahub-io/opendatahub-operator/v2/pkg/cluster"
 	annotations "github.com/opendatahub-io/opendatahub-operator/v2/pkg/metadata/annotations"
@@ -316,6 +317,8 @@ func (r *DataScienceClusterReconciler) reconcileSubComponent(ctx context.Context
 	}
 	err = component.ReconcileComponent(ctx, r.Client, r.Log, instance, r.DataScienceCluster.DSCISpec, platform, installedComponentValue)
 
+	// TODO: replace this hack with a full refactor of component status in the future
+
 	if err != nil {
 		// reconciliation failed: log errors, raise event and update status accordingly
 		instance = r.reportError(err, instance, "failed to reconcile "+componentName+" on DataScienceCluster")
@@ -343,6 +346,15 @@ func (r *DataScienceClusterReconciler) reconcileSubComponent(ctx context.Context
 		} else {
 			status.RemoveComponentCondition(&saved.Status.Conditions, componentName)
 		}
+
+		// TODO: replace this hack with a full refactor of component status in the future
+		if mr, isMR := component.(*modelregistry.ModelRegistry); isMR {
+			if enabled {
+				saved.Status.Components.ModelRegistry = &status.ModelRegistryStatus{RegistriesNamespace: mr.RegistriesNamespace}
+			} else {
+				saved.Status.Components.ModelRegistry = nil
+			}
+		}
 	})
 	if err != nil {
 		instance = r.reportError(err, instance, "failed to update DataScienceCluster status after reconciling "+componentName)
diff --git a/controllers/status/status.go b/controllers/status/status.go
index 52e3d79145f..808cfee2f7b 100644
--- a/controllers/status/status.go
+++ b/controllers/status/status.go
@@ -209,3 +209,8 @@ func SetComponentCondition(conditions *[]conditionsv1.Condition, component strin
 func RemoveComponentCondition(conditions *[]conditionsv1.Condition, component string) {
 	conditionsv1.RemoveStatusCondition(conditions, conditionsv1.ConditionType(component+ReadySuffix))
 }
+
+// ModelRegistryStatus struct holds the status for the ModelRegistry component.
+type ModelRegistryStatus struct {
+	RegistriesNamespace string `json:"registriesNamespace,omitempty"`
+}
diff --git a/controllers/webhook/webhook.go b/controllers/webhook/webhook.go
index 26034d8b305..dfda6d0fa32 100644
--- a/controllers/webhook/webhook.go
+++ b/controllers/webhook/webhook.go
@@ -29,6 +29,8 @@ import (
 	"sigs.k8s.io/controller-runtime/pkg/webhook"
 	"sigs.k8s.io/controller-runtime/pkg/webhook/admission"
 
+	dscv1 "github.com/opendatahub-io/opendatahub-operator/v2/apis/datasciencecluster/v1"
+	"github.com/opendatahub-io/opendatahub-operator/v2/components/modelregistry"
 	"github.com/opendatahub-io/opendatahub-operator/v2/pkg/cluster/gvk"
 )
 
@@ -37,12 +39,12 @@ var log = ctrl.Log.WithName("odh-controller-webhook")
 //+kubebuilder:webhook:path=/validate-opendatahub-io-v1,mutating=false,failurePolicy=fail,sideEffects=None,groups=datasciencecluster.opendatahub.io;dscinitialization.opendatahub.io,resources=datascienceclusters;dscinitializations,verbs=create;delete,versions=v1,name=operator.opendatahub.io,admissionReviewVersions=v1
 //nolint:lll
 
-type OpenDataHubWebhook struct {
+type OpenDataHubValidatingWebhook struct {
 	Client  client.Client
 	Decoder *admission.Decoder
 }
 
-func (w *OpenDataHubWebhook) SetupWithManager(mgr ctrl.Manager) {
+func (w *OpenDataHubValidatingWebhook) SetupWithManager(mgr ctrl.Manager) {
 	hookServer := mgr.GetWebhookServer()
 	odhWebhook := &webhook.Admission{
 		Handler: w,
@@ -74,7 +76,7 @@ func denyCountGtZero(ctx context.Context, cli client.Client, gvk schema.GroupVer
 	return admission.Allowed("")
 }
 
-func (w *OpenDataHubWebhook) checkDupCreation(ctx context.Context, req admission.Request) admission.Response {
+func (w *OpenDataHubValidatingWebhook) checkDupCreation(ctx context.Context, req admission.Request) admission.Response {
 	switch req.Kind.Kind {
 	case "DataScienceCluster", "DSCInitialization":
 	default:
@@ -93,7 +95,7 @@ func (w *OpenDataHubWebhook) checkDupCreation(ctx context.Context, req admission
 		fmt.Sprintf("Only one instance of %s object is allowed", req.Kind.Kind))
 }
 
-func (w *OpenDataHubWebhook) checkDeletion(ctx context.Context, req admission.Request) admission.Response {
+func (w *OpenDataHubValidatingWebhook) checkDeletion(ctx context.Context, req admission.Request) admission.Response {
 	if req.Kind.Kind == "DataScienceCluster" {
 		return admission.Allowed("")
 	}
@@ -103,7 +105,7 @@ func (w *OpenDataHubWebhook) checkDeletion(ctx context.Context, req admission.Re
 		fmt.Sprintln("Cannot delete DSCI object when DSC object still exists"))
 }
 
-func (w *OpenDataHubWebhook) Handle(ctx context.Context, req admission.Request) admission.Response {
+func (w *OpenDataHubValidatingWebhook) Handle(ctx context.Context, req admission.Request) admission.Response {
 	var resp admission.Response
 	resp.Allowed = true // initialize Allowed to be true in case Operation falls into "default" case
 
@@ -122,3 +124,46 @@ func (w *OpenDataHubWebhook) Handle(ctx context.Context, req admission.Request)
 
 	return admission.Allowed(fmt.Sprintf("Operation %s on %s allowed", req.Operation, req.Kind.Kind))
 }
+
+//+kubebuilder:webhook:path=/mutate-opendatahub-io-v1,mutating=true,failurePolicy=fail,sideEffects=None,groups=datasciencecluster.opendatahub.io,resources=datascienceclusters,verbs=create;update,versions=v1,name=mutate.operator.opendatahub.io,admissionReviewVersions=v1
+//nolint:lll
+
+// OpenDataHubMutatingWebhook is a mutating webhook
+// It currently only sets defaults for modelregiestry in datascienceclusters.
+type OpenDataHubMutatingWebhook struct {
+	Client  client.Client
+	Decoder *admission.Decoder
+}
+
+func (w *OpenDataHubMutatingWebhook) SetupWithManager(mgr ctrl.Manager) {
+	hookServer := mgr.GetWebhookServer()
+	odhWebhook := &webhook.Admission{
+		Handler: w,
+	}
+	hookServer.Register("/mutate-opendatahub-io-v1", odhWebhook)
+}
+
+func (w *OpenDataHubMutatingWebhook) Handle(ctx context.Context, req admission.Request) admission.Response {
+	var resp admission.Response
+	resp.Allowed = true // initialize Allowed to be true in case Operation falls into "default" case
+
+	dsc := &dscv1.DataScienceCluster{}
+	err := w.Decoder.Decode(req, dsc)
+	if err != nil {
+		return admission.Denied(fmt.Sprintf("failed to decode request body: %s", err))
+	}
+	resp = w.setDSCDefaults(ctx, dsc)
+	return resp
+}
+
+func (w *OpenDataHubMutatingWebhook) setDSCDefaults(_ context.Context, dsc *dscv1.DataScienceCluster) admission.Response {
+	// set default registriesNamespace if empty
+	if len(dsc.Spec.Components.ModelRegistry.RegistriesNamespace) == 0 {
+		return admission.Patched("Property registriesNamespace set to default value", webhook.JSONPatchOp{
+			Operation: "replace",
+			Path:      "spec.components.modelregistry.registriesNamespace",
+			Value:     modelregistry.DefaultModelRegistriesNamespace,
+		})
+	}
+	return admission.Allowed("")
+}
diff --git a/controllers/webhook/webhook_suite_test.go b/controllers/webhook/webhook_suite_test.go
index 9558c7e8cf0..529ee3f5313 100644
--- a/controllers/webhook/webhook_suite_test.go
+++ b/controllers/webhook/webhook_suite_test.go
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/opendatahub-io/opendatahub-operator/v2/components/datasciencepipelines"
 	"github.com/opendatahub-io/opendatahub-operator/v2/components/kserve"
 	"github.com/opendatahub-io/opendatahub-operator/v2/components/modelmeshserving"
+	"github.com/opendatahub-io/opendatahub-operator/v2/components/modelregistry"
 	"github.com/opendatahub-io/opendatahub-operator/v2/components/ray"
 	"github.com/opendatahub-io/opendatahub-operator/v2/components/trustyai"
 	"github.com/opendatahub-io/opendatahub-operator/v2/components/workbenches"
@@ -132,7 +133,12 @@ var _ = BeforeSuite(func() {
 	})
 	Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
-	(&webhook.OpenDataHubWebhook{
+	(&webhook.OpenDataHubValidatingWebhook{
+		Client:  mgr.GetClient(),
+		Decoder: admission.NewDecoder(mgr.GetScheme()),
+	}).SetupWithManager(mgr)
+
+	(&webhook.OpenDataHubMutatingWebhook{
 		Client:  mgr.GetClient(),
 		Decoder: admission.NewDecoder(mgr.GetScheme()),
 	}).SetupWithManager(mgr)
@@ -202,6 +208,14 @@ var _ = Describe("DSC/DSCI webhook", func() {
 		Expect(k8sClient.Delete(ctx, dscInstance)).Should(Succeed())
 		Expect(k8sClient.Delete(ctx, dsciInstance)).Should(Succeed())
 	})
+
+	It("Should set defaults in DSC instance", func(ctx context.Context) {
+		dscInstance := newDSC(nameBase+"-dsc-1", namespace)
+		Expect(k8sClient.Create(ctx, dscInstance)).Should(Succeed())
+		Expect(dscInstance.Spec.Components.ModelRegistry.RegistriesNamespace).
+			Should(Equal(modelregistry.DefaultModelRegistriesNamespace))
+		Expect(clearInstance(ctx, dscInstance)).Should(Succeed())
+	})
 })
 
 func clearInstance(ctx context.Context, instance client.Object) error {
diff --git a/docs/DESIGN.md b/docs/DESIGN.md
index 0e82ac0acb4..148517713b8 100644
--- a/docs/DESIGN.md
+++ b/docs/DESIGN.md
@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ To deploy ODH components seamlessly, ODH operator will watch two CRDs:
             managementState: Managed
           modelregistry:
             managementState: Managed
+            registriesNamespace: "odh-model-registries"
           ray:
             managementState: Managed
           kueue:
diff --git a/docs/api-overview.md b/docs/api-overview.md
index c909cee2b11..0f0f7030595 100644
--- a/docs/api-overview.md
+++ b/docs/api-overview.md
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ Package modelregistry provides utility functions to config ModelRegistry, an ML
 
 
 
-ModelRegistry struct holds the configuration for the ModelRegistry component.
+
 
 
 
@@ -251,6 +251,7 @@ _Appears in:_
 | Field | Description | Default | Validation |
 | --- | --- | --- | --- |
 | `Component` _[Component](#component)_ |  |  |  |
+| `registriesNamespace` _string_ | Namespace for model registries to be installed, configurable only once when model registry is enabled, defaults to "odh-model-registries" | odh-model-registries | MaxLength: 63 <br />Pattern: `^([a-z0-9]([-a-z0-9]*[a-z0-9])?)?$` <br /> |
 
 
 
@@ -412,6 +413,22 @@ _Appears in:_
 | `trainingoperator` _[TrainingOperator](#trainingoperator)_ | Training Operator component configuration. |  |  |
 
 
+#### ComponentsStatus
+
+
+
+ComponentsStatus defines the custom status of DataScienceCluster components.
+
+
+
+_Appears in:_
+- [DataScienceClusterStatus](#datascienceclusterstatus)
+
+| Field | Description | Default | Validation |
+| --- | --- | --- | --- |
+| `modelregistry` _[ModelRegistryStatus](#modelregistrystatus)_ | ModelRegistry component status |  |  |
+
+
 #### ControlPlaneSpec
 
 
@@ -485,6 +502,7 @@ _Appears in:_
 | `relatedObjects` _[ObjectReference](https://kubernetes.io/docs/reference/generated/kubernetes-api/v1.25/#objectreference-v1-core) array_ | RelatedObjects is a list of objects created and maintained by this operator.<br />Object references will be added to this list after they have been created AND found in the cluster. |  |  |
 | `errorMessage` _string_ |  |  |  |
 | `installedComponents` _object (keys:string, values:boolean)_ | List of components with status if installed or not |  |  |
+| `components` _[ComponentsStatus](#componentsstatus)_ | Expose component's specific status |  |  |
 | `release` _[Release](#release)_ | Version and release type |  |  |
 
 
diff --git a/docs/upgrade-testing.md b/docs/upgrade-testing.md
index ce9bd1ef0e4..d40d38f9418 100644
--- a/docs/upgrade-testing.md
+++ b/docs/upgrade-testing.md
@@ -138,6 +138,7 @@ spec:
       managementState: Managed
     modelregistry:
       managementState: Managed
+      registriesNamespace: "odh-model-registries"
     ray:
       managementState: Managed
     kueue:
diff --git a/main.go b/main.go
index 8bf8cba1910..e0b84ff654b 100644
--- a/main.go
+++ b/main.go
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ import (
 	dscv1 "github.com/opendatahub-io/opendatahub-operator/v2/apis/datasciencecluster/v1"
 	dsciv1 "github.com/opendatahub-io/opendatahub-operator/v2/apis/dscinitialization/v1"
 	featurev1 "github.com/opendatahub-io/opendatahub-operator/v2/apis/features/v1"
+	"github.com/opendatahub-io/opendatahub-operator/v2/components/modelregistry"
 	"github.com/opendatahub-io/opendatahub-operator/v2/controllers/certconfigmapgenerator"
 	dscctrl "github.com/opendatahub-io/opendatahub-operator/v2/controllers/datasciencecluster"
 	dscictrl "github.com/opendatahub-io/opendatahub-operator/v2/controllers/dscinitialization"
@@ -207,7 +208,12 @@ func main() { //nolint:funlen,maintidx
 		os.Exit(1)
 	}
 
-	(&webhook.OpenDataHubWebhook{
+	(&webhook.OpenDataHubValidatingWebhook{
+		Client:  mgr.GetClient(),
+		Decoder: admission.NewDecoder(mgr.GetScheme()),
+	}).SetupWithManager(mgr)
+
+	(&webhook.OpenDataHubMutatingWebhook{
 		Client:  mgr.GetClient(),
 		Decoder: admission.NewDecoder(mgr.GetScheme()),
 	}).SetupWithManager(mgr)
@@ -342,13 +348,12 @@ func createDeploymentCacheConfig(platform cluster.Platform) map[string]cache.Con
 	case cluster.ManagedRhods: // no need workbench NS, only SFS no Deployment
 		namespaceConfigs["redhat-ods-monitoring"] = cache.Config{}
 		namespaceConfigs["redhat-ods-applications"] = cache.Config{}
-		//TODO: if ModelReg has a RHOAI NS
 	case cluster.SelfManagedRhods:
 		namespaceConfigs["redhat-ods-applications"] = cache.Config{}
-		//TODO: if ModelReg has a RHOAI NS
 	default:
 		namespaceConfigs["opendatahub"] = cache.Config{}
-		namespaceConfigs["odh-model-registries"] = cache.Config{}
 	}
+	// for modelregistry namespace
+	namespaceConfigs[modelregistry.DefaultModelRegistriesNamespace] = cache.Config{}
 	return namespaceConfigs
 }
diff --git a/tests/e2e/creation_test.go b/tests/e2e/creation_test.go
index b4406b8ee27..2a2abc3cd2b 100644
--- a/tests/e2e/creation_test.go
+++ b/tests/e2e/creation_test.go
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ func creationTestSuite(t *testing.T) {
 
 		// DSC
 		t.Run("Creation of DataScienceCluster instance", func(t *testing.T) {
-			err = testCtx.testDSCCreation()
+			err = testCtx.testDSCCreation(t)
 			require.NoError(t, err, "error creating DataScienceCluster instance")
 		})
 		t.Run("Creation of more than one of DataScienceCluster instance", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -91,6 +91,10 @@ func creationTestSuite(t *testing.T) {
 		})
 
 		// ModelReg
+		t.Run("Validate model registry cert config", func(t *testing.T) {
+			err = testCtx.validateModelRegistryConfig()
+			require.NoError(t, err, "error validating ModelRegistry config")
+		})
 		t.Run("Validate default model registry cert available", func(t *testing.T) {
 			err = testCtx.testDefaultModelRegistryCertAvailable()
 			require.NoError(t, err, "error getting default cert secret for ModelRegistry")
@@ -150,22 +154,22 @@ func (tc *testContext) testDSCICreation() error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (tc *testContext) testDSCCreation() error {
+func (tc *testContext) testDSCCreation(t *testing.T) error {
+	t.Helper()
 	// Create DataScienceCluster resource if not already created
 
-	dscLookupKey := types.NamespacedName{Name: tc.testDsc.Name}
-	createdDSC := &dscv1.DataScienceCluster{}
 	existingDSCList := &dscv1.DataScienceClusterList{}
-
 	err := tc.customClient.List(tc.ctx, existingDSCList)
 	if err == nil {
 		if len(existingDSCList.Items) > 0 {
 			// Use DSC instance if it already exists
 			tc.testDsc = &existingDSCList.Items[0]
-
 			return nil
 		}
 	}
+
+	dscLookupKey := types.NamespacedName{Name: tc.testDsc.Name}
+	createdDSC := &dscv1.DataScienceCluster{}
 	err = tc.customClient.Get(tc.ctx, dscLookupKey, createdDSC)
 	if err != nil {
 		if k8serr.IsNotFound(err) {
@@ -291,7 +295,7 @@ func (tc *testContext) testAllComponentCreation(t *testing.T) error { //nolint:f
 		t.Run("Validate "+name, func(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Parallel()
 			err = tc.testComponentCreation(c)
-			require.NoError(t, err, "error validating component %v when "+c.GetManagementState())
+			require.NoError(t, err, "error validating component %s when %v", name, c.GetManagementState())
 		})
 	}
 	return nil
@@ -491,7 +495,7 @@ func (tc *testContext) testMRServiceMeshMember() error {
 	smm.SetAPIVersion("maistra.io/v1")
 	smm.SetKind("ServiceMeshMember")
 	err := tc.customClient.Get(tc.ctx,
-		client.ObjectKey{Namespace: modelregistry.ModelRegistriesNamespace, Name: "default"}, &smm)
+		client.ObjectKey{Namespace: modelregistry.DefaultModelRegistriesNamespace, Name: "default"}, &smm)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get servicemesh member: %w", err)
 	}
@@ -607,3 +611,51 @@ func (tc *testContext) testUpdateDSCComponentEnabled() error {
 		dashboardDeploymentName,
 		tc.applicationsNamespace)
 }
+
+const testNs = "test-model-registries"
+
+func (tc *testContext) validateModelRegistryConfig() error {
+	// check immutable property registriesNamespace
+	if tc.testDsc.Spec.Components.ModelRegistry.ManagementState != operatorv1.Managed {
+		// allowed to set registriesNamespace to non-default
+		err := patchRegistriesNamespace(tc, testNs, testNs, false)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		// allowed to set registriesNamespace back to default value
+		err = patchRegistriesNamespace(tc, modelregistry.DefaultModelRegistriesNamespace,
+			modelregistry.DefaultModelRegistriesNamespace, false)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	} else {
+		// not allowed to change registriesNamespace
+		err := patchRegistriesNamespace(tc, testNs, modelregistry.DefaultModelRegistriesNamespace, true)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func patchRegistriesNamespace(tc *testContext, namespace string, expected string, expectErr bool) error {
+	patchStr := fmt.Sprintf("{\"spec\":{\"components\":{\"modelregistry\":{\"registriesNamespace\":\"%s\"}}}}", namespace)
+	err := tc.customClient.Patch(tc.ctx, tc.testDsc, client.RawPatch(types.MergePatchType, []byte(patchStr)))
+	if err != nil {
+		if !expectErr {
+			return fmt.Errorf("unexpected error when setting registriesNamespace in DSC %s to %s: %w",
+				tc.testDsc.Name, namespace, err)
+		}
+	} else {
+		if expectErr {
+			return fmt.Errorf("unexpected success when setting registriesNamespace in DSC %s to %s",
+				tc.testDsc.Name, namespace)
+		}
+	}
+	// compare expected against returned registriesNamespace
+	if tc.testDsc.Spec.Components.ModelRegistry.RegistriesNamespace != expected {
+		return fmt.Errorf("expected registriesNamespace %s, got %s",
+			expected, tc.testDsc.Spec.Components.ModelRegistry.RegistriesNamespace)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
diff --git a/tests/e2e/helper_test.go b/tests/e2e/helper_test.go
index 7ea367207b5..83c222cde19 100644
--- a/tests/e2e/helper_test.go
+++ b/tests/e2e/helper_test.go
@@ -74,9 +74,7 @@ func (tc *testContext) waitForOperatorDeployment(name string, replicas int32) er
 				}
 			}
 		}
-
 		log.Printf("Error in %s deployment", name)
-
 		return false, nil
 	})