diff --git a/staging/src/k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/api/validate/each.go b/staging/src/k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/api/validate/each.go
index 70bc5100fc4..89994c8f07e 100644
--- a/staging/src/k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/api/validate/each.go
+++ b/staging/src/k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/api/validate/each.go
@@ -18,25 +18,45 @@ package validate
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"sort"
 
+	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/api/equality"
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/api/operation"
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/util/validation/field"
 )
 
-// CompareFunc is a function that compares two values of the same type.
-type CompareFunc[T any] func(T, T) bool
+// MatchFunc is a function that compares two values of the same type,
+// according to some criteria, and returns true if they match.
+type MatchFunc[T any] func(T, T) bool
 
-// EachSliceVal validates each element of newSlice with the specified
-// validation function.  The comparison function is used to find the
-// corresponding value in oldSlice.  The value-type of the slices is assumed to
-// not be nilable.
+// EachSliceVal performs validation on each element of newSlice using the provided validation function.
+//
+// For update operations, the match function finds corresponding values in oldSlice for each
+// value in newSlice. This comparison can be either full or partial (e.g., matching only
+// specific struct fields that serve as a unique identifier). If match is nil, validation
+// proceeds without considering old values, and the equiv function is not used.
+//
+// For update operations, the equiv function checks if a new value is equivalent to its
+// corresponding old value, enabling validation ratcheting. If equiv is nil but match is
+// provided, the match function is assumed to perform full value comparison.
+//
+// Note: The slice element type must be non-nilable.
 func EachSliceVal[T any](ctx context.Context, op operation.Operation, fldPath *field.Path, newSlice, oldSlice []T,
-	cmp CompareFunc[T], validator ValidateFunc[*T]) field.ErrorList {
+	match, equiv MatchFunc[T], validator ValidateFunc[*T]) field.ErrorList {
 	var errs field.ErrorList
 	for i, val := range newSlice {
 		var old *T
-		if cmp != nil && len(oldSlice) > 0 {
-			old = lookup(oldSlice, val, cmp)
+		if match != nil && len(oldSlice) > 0 {
+			old = lookup(oldSlice, val, match)
+		}
+		// If the operation is an update, for validation ratcheting, skip re-validating if the old
+		// value exists and either:
+		// 1. The match function provides full comparison (equiv is nil)
+		// 2. The equiv function confirms the values are equivalent (either directly or semantically)
+		//
+		// The equiv function provides equality comparison when match uses partial comparison.
+		if op.Type == operation.Update && old != nil && (equiv == nil || equiv(val, *old)) {
+			continue
 		}
 		errs = append(errs, validator(ctx, op, fldPath.Index(i), &val, old)...)
 	}
@@ -45,39 +65,107 @@ func EachSliceVal[T any](ctx context.Context, op operation.Operation, fldPath *f
 
 // lookup returns a pointer to the first element in the list that matches the
 // target, according to the provided comparison function, or else nil.
-func lookup[T any](list []T, target T, cmp func(T, T) bool) *T {
+func lookup[T any](list []T, target T, match MatchFunc[T]) *T {
 	for i := range list {
-		if cmp(list[i], target) {
+		if match(list[i], target) {
 			return &list[i]
 		}
 	}
 	return nil
 }
 
-// EachMapVal validates each element of newMap with the specified validation
-// function and, if the corresponding key is found in oldMap, the old value.
-// The value-type of the slices is assumed to not be nilable.
+// EachMapVal validates each value in newMap using the specified validation
+// function, passing the corresponding old value from oldMap if the key exists in oldMap.
+// For update operations, it implements validation ratcheting by skipping validation
+// when the old value exists and the equiv function confirms the values are equivalent.
+// The value-type of the map is assumed to not be nilable.
+// If equiv is nil, value-based ratcheting is disabled and all values will be validated.
 func EachMapVal[K ~string, V any](ctx context.Context, op operation.Operation, fldPath *field.Path, newMap, oldMap map[K]V,
-	validator ValidateFunc[*V]) field.ErrorList {
+	equiv MatchFunc[V], validator ValidateFunc[*V]) field.ErrorList {
 	var errs field.ErrorList
 	for key, val := range newMap {
 		var old *V
 		if o, found := oldMap[key]; found {
 			old = &o
 		}
+		// If the operation is an update, for validation ratcheting, skip re-validating if the old
+		// value is found and the equiv function confirms the values are equivalent.
+		if op.Type == operation.Update && old != nil && equiv != nil && equiv(val, *old) {
+			continue
+		}
 		errs = append(errs, validator(ctx, op, fldPath.Key(string(key)), &val, old)...)
 	}
 	return errs
 }
 
 // EachMapKey validates each element of newMap with the specified
-// validation function.  The oldMap argument is not used.
+// validation function.
 func EachMapKey[K ~string, T any](ctx context.Context, op operation.Operation, fldPath *field.Path, newMap, oldMap map[K]T,
 	validator ValidateFunc[*K]) field.ErrorList {
 	var errs field.ErrorList
 	for key := range newMap {
+		var old *K
+		if _, found := oldMap[key]; found {
+			old = &key
+		}
+		// If the operation is an update, for validation ratcheting, skip re-validating if
+		// the key is found in oldMap.
+		if op.Type == operation.Update && old != nil {
+			continue
+		}
 		// Note: the field path is the field, not the key.
 		errs = append(errs, validator(ctx, op, fldPath, &key, nil)...)
 	}
 	return errs
 }
+
+// Unique verifies that each element of newSlice is unique, according to the
+// match function. It compares every element of the slice with every other
+// element and returns errors for non-unique items.
+func Unique[T any](_ context.Context, _ operation.Operation, fldPath *field.Path, newSlice, _ []T, match MatchFunc[T]) field.ErrorList {
+	var dups []int
+	for i, val := range newSlice {
+		for j := i + 1; j < len(newSlice); j++ {
+			other := newSlice[j]
+			if match(val, other) {
+				if dups == nil {
+					dups = make([]int, 0, len(newSlice))
+				}
+				if lookup(dups, j, func(a, b int) bool { return a == b }) == nil {
+					dups = append(dups, j)
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	var errs field.ErrorList
+	sort.Ints(dups)
+	for _, i := range dups {
+		var val any = newSlice[i]
+		// TODO: we don't want the whole item to be logged in the error, just
+		// the key(s). Unfortunately, the way errors are rendered, it comes out
+		// as something like "map[string]any{...}" which is not very nice. Once
+		// that is fixed, we can consider adding a way for this function to
+		// specify that just the keys should be renderted in the error.
+		errs = append(errs, field.Duplicate(fldPath.Index(i), val))
+	}
+	return errs
+}
+
+// SemanticDeepEqual is a MatchFunc that uses equality.Semantic.DeepEqual to
+// compare two values.
+// This wrapper is needed because MatchFunc requires a function that takes two
+// arguments of specific type T, while equality.Semantic.DeepEqual takes
+// arguments of type interface{}/any. The wrapper satisfies the type
+// constraints of MatchFunc while leveraging the underlying semantic equality
+// logic. It can be used by any other function that needs to call DeepEqual.
+func SemanticDeepEqual[T any](a, b T) bool {
+	return equality.Semantic.DeepEqual(a, b)
+}
+
+// DirectEqual is a MatchFunc that uses the == operator to compare two values.
+// It can be used by any other function that needs to compare two values
+// directly.
+func DirectEqual[T comparable](a, b T) bool {
+	return a == b
+}
diff --git a/staging/src/k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/api/validate/each_test.go b/staging/src/k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/api/validate/each_test.go
index 2691f4c9d07..56f949d8474 100644
--- a/staging/src/k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/api/validate/each_test.go
+++ b/staging/src/k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/api/validate/each_test.go
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import (
 
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/api/operation"
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/util/validation/field"
+	"k8s.io/utils/ptr"
 )
 
 type TestStruct struct {
@@ -32,6 +33,32 @@ type TestStruct struct {
 	D string
 }
 
+type TestStructWithKey struct {
+	Key string
+	I   int
+	D   string
+}
+
+type NonComparableKey struct {
+	I *int
+}
+
+type NonComparableStruct struct {
+	I int
+	S []string
+}
+
+type NonComparableStructWithKey struct {
+	Key string
+	I   int
+	S   []string
+}
+
+type NonComparableStructWithPtr struct {
+	I int
+	P *int
+}
+
 func TestEachSliceVal(t *testing.T) {
 	testEachSliceVal(t, "valid", []int{11, 12, 13})
 	testEachSliceVal(t, "valid", []string{"a", "b", "c"})
@@ -70,7 +97,7 @@ func testEachSliceVal[T any](t *testing.T, name string, input []T) {
 			calls++
 			return nil
 		}
-		_ = EachSliceVal(context.Background(), operation.Operation{}, field.NewPath("test"), input, nil, nil, vfn)
+		_ = EachSliceVal(context.Background(), operation.Operation{}, field.NewPath("test"), input, nil, nil, nil, vfn)
 		if calls != len(input) {
 			t.Errorf("expected %d calls, got %d", len(input), calls)
 		}
@@ -95,14 +122,98 @@ func testEachSliceValUpdate[T any](t *testing.T, name string, input []T) {
 		old := make([]T, len(input))
 		copy(old, input)
 		slices.Reverse(old)
-		cmp := func(a, b T) bool { return reflect.DeepEqual(a, b) }
-		_ = EachSliceVal(context.Background(), operation.Operation{}, field.NewPath("test"), input, old, cmp, vfn)
+		match := func(a, b T) bool { return reflect.DeepEqual(a, b) }
+		_ = EachSliceVal(context.Background(), operation.Operation{}, field.NewPath("test"), input, old, match, match, vfn)
 		if calls != len(input) {
 			t.Errorf("expected %d calls, got %d", len(input), calls)
 		}
 	})
 }
 
+func TestEachSliceValRatcheting(t *testing.T) {
+	testEachSliceValRatcheting(t, "ComparableStruct same data different order",
+		[]TestStruct{
+			{11, "a"}, {12, "b"}, {13, "c"},
+		},
+		[]TestStruct{
+			{11, "a"}, {13, "c"}, {12, "b"},
+		},
+		SemanticDeepEqual,
+		nil,
+	)
+	testEachSliceValRatcheting(t, "ComparableStruct less data in new, exist in old",
+		[]TestStruct{
+			{11, "a"}, {12, "b"}, {13, "c"},
+		},
+		[]TestStruct{
+			{11, "a"}, {13, "c"},
+		},
+		DirectEqual,
+		nil,
+	)
+	testEachSliceValRatcheting(t, "Comparable struct with key same data different order",
+		[]TestStructWithKey{
+			{Key: "a", I: 11, D: "a"}, {Key: "b", I: 12, D: "b"}, {Key: "c", I: 13, D: "c"},
+		},
+		[]TestStructWithKey{
+			{Key: "a", I: 11, D: "a"}, {Key: "c", I: 13, D: "c"}, {Key: "b", I: 12, D: "b"},
+		},
+		MatchFunc[TestStructWithKey](func(a, b TestStructWithKey) bool {
+			return a.Key == b.Key
+		}),
+		DirectEqual,
+	)
+	testEachSliceValRatcheting(t, "Comparable struct with key less data in new, exist in old",
+		[]TestStructWithKey{
+			{Key: "a", I: 11, D: "a"}, {Key: "b", I: 12, D: "b"}, {Key: "c", I: 13, D: "c"},
+		},
+		[]TestStructWithKey{
+			{Key: "a", I: 11, D: "a"}, {Key: "c", I: 13, D: "c"},
+		},
+		MatchFunc[TestStructWithKey](func(a, b TestStructWithKey) bool {
+			return a.Key == b.Key
+		}),
+		DirectEqual,
+	)
+	testEachSliceValRatcheting(t, "NonComparableStruct same data different order",
+		[]NonComparableStruct{
+			{I: 11, S: []string{"a"}}, {I: 12, S: []string{"b"}}, {I: 13, S: []string{"c"}},
+		},
+		[]NonComparableStruct{
+			{I: 11, S: []string{"a"}}, {I: 13, S: []string{"c"}}, {I: 12, S: []string{"b"}},
+		},
+		SemanticDeepEqual,
+		nil,
+	)
+	testEachSliceValRatcheting(t, "NonComparableStructWithKey same data different order",
+		[]NonComparableStructWithKey{
+			{Key: "a", I: 11, S: []string{"a"}}, {Key: "b", I: 12, S: []string{"b"}}, {Key: "c", I: 13, S: []string{"c"}},
+		},
+		[]NonComparableStructWithKey{
+			{Key: "a", I: 11, S: []string{"a"}}, {Key: "b", I: 12, S: []string{"b"}}, {Key: "c", I: 13, S: []string{"c"}},
+		},
+		MatchFunc[NonComparableStructWithKey](func(a, b NonComparableStructWithKey) bool {
+			return a.Key == b.Key
+		}),
+		SemanticDeepEqual,
+	)
+
+}
+
+func testEachSliceValRatcheting[T any](t *testing.T, name string, old, new []T, match, equiv MatchFunc[T]) {
+	t.Helper()
+	var zero T
+	t.Run(fmt.Sprintf("%s(%T)", name, zero), func(t *testing.T) {
+		vfn := func(ctx context.Context, op operation.Operation, fldPath *field.Path, newVal, oldVal *T) field.ErrorList {
+			return field.ErrorList{field.Invalid(fldPath, *newVal, "expected no calls")}
+		}
+		errs := EachSliceVal(context.Background(), operation.Operation{Type: operation.Update}, field.NewPath("test"), new, old, match, equiv, vfn)
+		if len(errs) > 0 {
+			t.Errorf("expected no errors, got %d: %s", len(errs), fmtErrs(errs))
+		}
+	})
+}
+
 func TestEachMapVal(t *testing.T) {
 	testEachMapVal(t, "valid", map[string]int{"one": 11, "two": 12, "three": 13})
 	testEachMapVal(t, "valid", map[string]string{"A": "a", "B": "b", "C": "c"})
@@ -129,13 +240,131 @@ func testEachMapVal[T any](t *testing.T, name string, input map[string]T) {
 			calls++
 			return nil
 		}
-		_ = EachMapVal(context.Background(), operation.Operation{}, field.NewPath("test"), input, nil, vfn)
+		_ = EachMapVal(context.Background(), operation.Operation{}, field.NewPath("test"), input, nil, nil, vfn)
 		if calls != len(input) {
 			t.Errorf("expected %d calls, got %d", len(input), calls)
 		}
 	})
 }
 
+func TestEachMapValRatcheting(t *testing.T) {
+	testEachMapValRatcheting(t, "primitive same data",
+		map[string]int{"one": 11, "two": 12, "three": 13},
+		map[string]int{"one": 11, "three": 13, "two": 12},
+		DirectEqual,
+		0,
+	)
+	testEachMapValRatcheting(t, "primitive less data in new, exist in old",
+		map[string]int{"one": 11, "two": 12, "three": 13},
+		map[string]int{"one": 11, "three": 13},
+		DirectEqual,
+		0,
+	)
+	testEachMapValRatcheting(t, "primitive new data, not exist in old",
+		map[string]int{"one": 11, "two": 12, "three": 13},
+		map[string]int{"one": 11, "three": 13, "two": 12, "four": 14},
+		DirectEqual,
+		1,
+	)
+	testEachMapValRatcheting(t, "non comparable value, same data",
+		map[string]NonComparableStruct{
+			"one":   {I: 11, S: []string{"a"}},
+			"two":   {I: 12, S: []string{"b"}},
+			"three": {I: 13, S: []string{"c"}},
+		},
+		map[string]NonComparableStruct{
+			"one":   {I: 11, S: []string{"a"}},
+			"three": {I: 13, S: []string{"c"}},
+			"two":   {I: 12, S: []string{"b"}},
+		},
+		SemanticDeepEqual,
+		0,
+	)
+	testEachMapValRatcheting(t, "non comparable value, less data in new, exist in old",
+		map[string]NonComparableStruct{
+			"one":   {I: 11, S: []string{"a"}},
+			"two":   {I: 12, S: []string{"b"}},
+			"three": {I: 13, S: []string{"c"}},
+		},
+		map[string]NonComparableStruct{
+			"one":   {I: 11, S: []string{"a"}},
+			"three": {I: 13, S: []string{"c"}},
+		},
+		SemanticDeepEqual,
+		0,
+	)
+	testEachMapValRatcheting(t, "non comparable value, new data, not exist in old",
+		map[string]NonComparableStruct{
+			"one":   {I: 11, S: []string{"a"}},
+			"two":   {I: 12, S: []string{"b"}},
+			"three": {I: 13, S: []string{"c"}},
+		},
+		map[string]NonComparableStruct{
+			"one":   {I: 11, S: []string{"a"}},
+			"three": {I: 13, S: []string{"c"}},
+			"two":   {I: 12, S: []string{"b"}},
+			"four":  {I: 14, S: []string{"d"}},
+		},
+		SemanticDeepEqual,
+		1,
+	)
+	testEachMapValRatcheting(t, "struct with pointer field, same value different pointer",
+		map[string]NonComparableStructWithPtr{
+			"one": {I: 11, P: ptr.To(1)},
+			"two": {I: 12, P: ptr.To(2)},
+		},
+		map[string]NonComparableStructWithPtr{
+			"one": {I: 11, P: ptr.To(1)},
+			"two": {I: 12, P: ptr.To(2)},
+		},
+		SemanticDeepEqual,
+		0,
+	)
+	testEachMapValRatcheting(t, "nil map to empty map",
+		nil,
+		map[string]int{},
+		DirectEqual,
+		0,
+	)
+
+	testEachMapValRatcheting(t, "nil map to non-empty map",
+		nil,
+		map[string]int{"one": 1},
+		DirectEqual,
+		1, // Expect validation for new entry
+	)
+
+	testEachMapValRatcheting(t, "empty map to nil map",
+		map[string]int{},
+		nil,
+		DirectEqual,
+		0,
+	)
+
+	testEachMapValRatcheting(t, "non-empty map to nil map",
+		map[string]int{"one": 1},
+		nil,
+		DirectEqual,
+		0,
+	)
+}
+
+func testEachMapValRatcheting[K ~string, V any](t *testing.T, name string, old, new map[K]V, equiv MatchFunc[V], wantCalls int) {
+	t.Helper()
+	var zero V
+	t.Run(fmt.Sprintf("%s(%T)", name, zero), func(t *testing.T) {
+		calls := 0
+		vfn := func(ctx context.Context, op operation.Operation, fldPath *field.Path, newVal, oldVal *V) field.ErrorList {
+			calls++
+			return nil
+		}
+		_ = EachMapVal(context.Background(), operation.Operation{Type: operation.Update}, field.NewPath("test"), new, old, equiv, vfn)
+		if calls != wantCalls {
+			t.Errorf("expected %d calls, got %d", wantCalls, calls)
+		}
+	})
+}
+
 type StringType string
 
 func TestEachMapKey(t *testing.T) {
@@ -161,3 +390,103 @@ func testEachMapKey[K ~string, V any](t *testing.T, name string, input map[K]V)
 		}
 	})
 }
+
+func TestEachMapKeyRatcheting(t *testing.T) {
+	testEachMapKeyRatcheting(t, "same data, 0 validation calls",
+		map[string]int{"one": 11, "two": 12, "three": 13},
+		map[string]int{"one": 11, "three": 13, "two": 12},
+		0,
+	)
+	testEachMapKeyRatcheting(t, "less data in new, exist in old, 0 validation calls",
+		map[string]int{"one": 11, "two": 12, "three": 13},
+		map[string]int{"one": 11, "three": 13},
+		0,
+	)
+	testEachMapKeyRatcheting(t, "new data, not exist in old, 1 validation call",
+		map[string]int{"one": 11, "two": 12, "three": 13},
+		map[string]int{"one": 11, "three": 13, "two": 12, "four": 14},
+		1,
+	)
+}
+
+func testEachMapKeyRatcheting[K ~string, V any](t *testing.T, name string, old, new map[K]V, wantCalls int) {
+	t.Helper()
+	var zero V
+	t.Run(fmt.Sprintf("%s(%T)", name, zero), func(t *testing.T) {
+		calls := 0
+		vfn := func(ctx context.Context, op operation.Operation, fldPath *field.Path, newVal, oldVal *K) field.ErrorList {
+			calls++
+			return nil
+		}
+		_ = EachMapKey(context.Background(), operation.Operation{Type: operation.Update}, field.NewPath("test"), new, old, vfn)
+		if calls != wantCalls {
+			t.Errorf("expected %d calls, got %d", wantCalls, calls)
+		}
+	})
+}
+
+func TestUniqueComparableValues(t *testing.T) {
+	testUnique(t, "int_nil", []int(nil), 0)
+	testUnique(t, "int_empty", []int{}, 0)
+	testUnique(t, "int_uniq", []int{1, 2, 3}, 0)
+	testUnique(t, "int_dup", []int{1, 2, 3, 2, 1}, 2)
+
+	testUnique(t, "string_nil", []string(nil), 0)
+	testUnique(t, "string_empty", []string{}, 0)
+	testUnique(t, "string_uniq", []string{"a", "b", "c"}, 0)
+	testUnique(t, "string_dup", []string{"a", "a", "c", "b", "a"}, 2)
+
+	type isComparable struct {
+		I int
+		S string
+	}
+
+	testUnique(t, "struct_nil", []isComparable(nil), 0)
+	testUnique(t, "struct_empty", []isComparable{}, 0)
+	testUnique(t, "struct_uniq", []isComparable{{1, "a"}, {2, "b"}, {3, "c"}}, 0)
+	testUnique(t, "struct_dup", []isComparable{{1, "a"}, {2, "b"}, {3, "c"}, {2, "b"}, {1, "a"}}, 2)
+}
+
+func testUnique[T comparable](t *testing.T, name string, input []T, wantErrs int) {
+	t.Helper()
+	t.Run(fmt.Sprintf("%s(direct)", name), func(t *testing.T) {
+		errs := Unique(context.Background(), operation.Operation{}, field.NewPath("test"), input, nil, DirectEqual)
+		if len(errs) != wantErrs {
+			t.Errorf("expected %d errors, got %d: %s", wantErrs, len(errs), fmtErrs(errs))
+		}
+	})
+	t.Run(fmt.Sprintf("%s(reflect)", name), func(t *testing.T) {
+		errs := Unique(context.Background(), operation.Operation{}, field.NewPath("test"), input, nil, SemanticDeepEqual)
+		if len(errs) != wantErrs {
+			t.Errorf("expected %d errors, got %d: %s", wantErrs, len(errs), fmtErrs(errs))
+		}
+	})
+}
+
+func TestUniqueNonComparableValues(t *testing.T) {
+	type nonComparable struct {
+		I int
+		S []string
+	}
+
+	testUniqueByReflect(t, "noncomp_nil", []nonComparable(nil), 0)
+	testUniqueByReflect(t, "noncomp_empty", []nonComparable{}, 0)
+	testUniqueByReflect(t, "noncomp_uniq", []nonComparable{{1, []string{"a"}}, {2, []string{"b"}}, {3, []string{"c"}}}, 0)
+	testUniqueByReflect(t, "noncomp_dup", []nonComparable{
+		{1, []string{"a"}},
+		{2, []string{"b"}},
+		{3, []string{"c"}},
+		{2, []string{"b"}},
+		{1, []string{"a"}}}, 2)
+}
+
+func testUniqueByReflect[T any](t *testing.T, name string, input []T, wantErrs int) {
+	t.Helper()
+	var zero T
+	t.Run(fmt.Sprintf("%s(%T)", name, zero), func(t *testing.T) {
+		errs := Unique(context.Background(), operation.Operation{}, field.NewPath("test"), input, nil, SemanticDeepEqual)
+		if len(errs) != wantErrs {
+			t.Errorf("expected %d errors, got %d: %s", wantErrs, len(errs), fmtErrs(errs))
+		}
+	})
+}
diff --git a/staging/src/k8s.io/code-generator/cmd/validation-gen/validators/each.go b/staging/src/k8s.io/code-generator/cmd/validation-gen/validators/each.go
index d17e574ddc0..f8fc1e76bc2 100644
--- a/staging/src/k8s.io/code-generator/cmd/validation-gen/validators/each.go
+++ b/staging/src/k8s.io/code-generator/cmd/validation-gen/validators/each.go
@@ -43,29 +43,85 @@ var globalEachKey *eachKeyTagValidator
 
 func init() {
 	// Lists with list-map semantics are comprised of multiple tags, which need
-	// to share information between them.
-	shared := map[string]*listMap{} // keyed by the fieldpath
-	RegisterTagValidator(listTypeTagValidator{shared})
-	RegisterTagValidator(listMapKeyTagValidator{shared})
+	// to share metadata about the list between them.
+	listMeta := map[string]*listMetadata{} // keyed by the field or type path
 
-	globalEachVal = &eachValTagValidator{shared, nil}
+	// Accumulate list metadata via tags.
+	RegisterTagValidator(listTypeTagValidator{byPath: listMeta})
+	RegisterTagValidator(listMapKeyTagValidator{byPath: listMeta})
+
+	// Finish work on the accumulated list metadata.
+	RegisterFieldValidator(listValidator{byPath: listMeta})
+	RegisterTypeValidator(listValidator{byPath: listMeta})
+
+	// List-map item validator uses shared listType and listMapKey information
+	itemMeta := make(map[string]*itemMetadata) // keyed by the fieldpath
+
+	// Accumulate item metadata via tags.
+	RegisterTagValidator(&itemTagValidator{byPath: itemMeta})
+
+	// Finish work on the accumulated item metadata.
+	RegisterTypeValidator(&itemValidator{
+		listByPath: listMeta,
+		itemByPath: itemMeta,
+	})
+	RegisterFieldValidator(&itemValidator{
+		listByPath: listMeta,
+		itemByPath: itemMeta,
+	})
+
+	// Iterating values of lists and maps is a special tag, which can be called
+	// directly by the code-generator logic.
+	globalEachVal = &eachValTagValidator{byPath: listMeta, validator: nil}
 	RegisterTagValidator(globalEachVal)
 
-	globalEachKey = &eachKeyTagValidator{nil}
+	// Iterating keys of maps is a special tag, which can be called directly by
+	// the code-generator logic.
+	globalEachKey = &eachKeyTagValidator{validator: nil}
 	RegisterTagValidator(globalEachKey)
 }
 
 // This applies to all tags in this file.
 var listTagsValidScopes = sets.New(ScopeAny)
 
-// listMap collects information about a single list with map semantics.
-type listMap struct {
-	declaredAsMap bool
-	keyFields     []string
+// listMetadata collects information about a single list with map or set semantics.
+type listMetadata struct {
+	// These will be checked for correctness elsewhere.
+	declaredAsAtomic bool
+	declaredAsSet    bool
+	declaredAsMap    bool
+	keyFields        []string // iff declaredAsMap
+	keyNames         []string // iff declaredAsMap
+}
+
+// makeListMapMatchFunc generates a function that compares two list-map
+// elements by their list-map key fields.
+func (lm *listMetadata) makeListMapMatchFunc(t *types.Type) FunctionLiteral {
+	if !lm.declaredAsMap {
+		panic("makeListMapMatchFunc called on a non-map list")
+	}
+	// If no keys are defined, we will throw a good error later.
+
+	matchFn := FunctionLiteral{
+		Parameters: []ParamResult{{"a", t}, {"b", t}},
+		Results:    []ParamResult{{"", types.Bool}},
+	}
+	buf := strings.Builder{}
+	buf.WriteString("return ")
+	// Note: this does not handle pointer fields, which are not
+	// supposed to be used as listMap keys.
+	for i, fld := range lm.keyFields {
+		if i > 0 {
+			buf.WriteString(" && ")
+		}
+		buf.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("a.%s == b.%s", fld, fld))
+	}
+	matchFn.Body = buf.String()
+	return matchFn
 }
 
 type listTypeTagValidator struct {
-	byFieldPath map[string]*listMap
+	byPath map[string]*listMetadata
 }
 
 func (listTypeTagValidator) Init(Config) {}
@@ -82,12 +138,25 @@ func (lttv listTypeTagValidator) GetValidations(context Context, tag codetags.Ta
 	// NOTE: pointers to lists are not supported, so we should never see a pointer here.
 	t := util.NativeType(context.Type)
 	if t.Kind != types.Slice && t.Kind != types.Array {
-		return Validations{}, fmt.Errorf("can only be used on list types")
+		return Validations{}, fmt.Errorf("can only be used on list types (%s)", t.Kind)
 	}
 
 	switch tag.Value {
-	case "atomic", "set":
-		// Allowed but no special handling.
+	case "atomic":
+		// We don't do much with atomic, but this ensures no conflicts between
+		// tags on typedefs and tags on fields which use those typedefs.
+		if lttv.byPath[context.Path.String()] == nil {
+			lttv.byPath[context.Path.String()] = &listMetadata{}
+		}
+		lm := lttv.byPath[context.Path.String()]
+		lm.declaredAsAtomic = true
+	case "set":
+		if lttv.byPath[context.Path.String()] == nil {
+			lttv.byPath[context.Path.String()] = &listMetadata{}
+		}
+		lm := lttv.byPath[context.Path.String()]
+		lm.declaredAsSet = true
+		// NOTE: we validate uniqueness in the listValidator.
 	case "map":
 		// NOTE: maps of pointers are not supported, so we should never see a pointer here.
 		if util.NativeType(t.Elem).Kind != types.Struct {
@@ -95,11 +164,12 @@ func (lttv listTypeTagValidator) GetValidations(context Context, tag codetags.Ta
 		}
 
 		// Save the fact that this list is a map.
-		if lttv.byFieldPath[context.Path.String()] == nil {
-			lttv.byFieldPath[context.Path.String()] = &listMap{}
+		if lttv.byPath[context.Path.String()] == nil {
+			lttv.byPath[context.Path.String()] = &listMetadata{}
 		}
-		lm := lttv.byFieldPath[context.Path.String()]
+		lm := lttv.byPath[context.Path.String()]
 		lm.declaredAsMap = true
+		// NOTE: we validate uniqueness of the keys in the listValidator.
 	default:
 		return Validations{}, fmt.Errorf("unknown list type %q", tag.Value)
 	}
@@ -116,7 +186,7 @@ func (lttv listTypeTagValidator) Docs() TagDoc {
 		Description: "Declares a list field's semantic type.",
 		Payloads: []TagPayloadDoc{{
 			Description: "<type>",
-			Docs:        "map | atomic",
+			Docs:        "atomic | map | set",
 		}},
 		PayloadsType:     codetags.ValueTypeString,
 		PayloadsRequired: true,
@@ -125,7 +195,7 @@ func (lttv listTypeTagValidator) Docs() TagDoc {
 }
 
 type listMapKeyTagValidator struct {
-	byFieldPath map[string]*listMap
+	byPath map[string]*listMetadata
 }
 
 func (listMapKeyTagValidator) Init(Config) {}
@@ -142,7 +212,7 @@ func (lmktv listMapKeyTagValidator) GetValidations(context Context, tag codetags
 	// NOTE: pointers to lists are not supported, so we should never see a pointer here.
 	t := util.NativeType(context.Type)
 	if t.Kind != types.Slice && t.Kind != types.Array {
-		return Validations{}, fmt.Errorf("can only be used on list types")
+		return Validations{}, fmt.Errorf("can only be used on list types (%s)", t.Kind)
 	}
 	// NOTE: lists of pointers are not supported, so we should never see a pointer here.
 	if util.NativeType(t.Elem).Kind != types.Struct {
@@ -158,11 +228,12 @@ func (lmktv listMapKeyTagValidator) GetValidations(context Context, tag codetags
 		fieldName = memb.Name
 	}
 
-	if lmktv.byFieldPath[context.Path.String()] == nil {
-		lmktv.byFieldPath[context.Path.String()] = &listMap{}
+	if lmktv.byPath[context.Path.String()] == nil {
+		lmktv.byPath[context.Path.String()] = &listMetadata{}
 	}
-	lm := lmktv.byFieldPath[context.Path.String()]
+	lm := lmktv.byPath[context.Path.String()]
 	lm.keyFields = append(lm.keyFields, fieldName)
+	lm.keyNames = append(lm.keyNames, tag.Value)
 
 	// This tag doesn't generate any validations.  It just accumulates
 	// information for other tags to use.
@@ -184,9 +255,116 @@ func (lmktv listMapKeyTagValidator) Docs() TagDoc {
 	return doc
 }
 
+type listValidator struct {
+	byPath map[string]*listMetadata
+}
+
+func (listValidator) Init(_ Config) {}
+
+func (listValidator) Name() string {
+	return "listValidator"
+}
+
+var (
+	validateUnique = types.Name{Package: libValidationPkg, Name: "Unique"}
+)
+
+func (lv listValidator) GetValidations(context Context) (Validations, error) {
+	lm := lv.byPath[context.Path.String()]
+	if err := lv.check(lm); err != nil {
+		return Validations{}, err
+	}
+	// NOTE: We don't really support list-of-list or map-of-list, so this does
+	// not consider the case of ScopeListVal or ScopeMapVal. If we want to
+	// support those, we need to look at this and make sure the paths work the
+	// way we need.
+	if context.Scope == ScopeField {
+		tm := lv.byPath[context.Type.String()]
+		if lm != nil && tm != nil {
+			return Validations{}, fmt.Errorf("found list metadata for both a field and its type: %s", context.Path)
+		}
+		// For the purpose of emitting validations, we can use the
+		// type's metadata if the field's metadata is not set.
+		//
+		// TypeValidators happen before FieldValidators, so if we end
+		// up here, we can rely on this having been checked already.
+		if lm == nil && tm != nil {
+			lm = tm
+		}
+	}
+	if lm == nil {
+		// TODO(thockin): enable this once the whole codebase is converted or
+		// if we only run against fields which are opted-in.
+		// if context.Type.Kind == types.Slice || context.Type.Kind == types.Array {
+		// 	return Validations{}, fmt.Errorf("found list field without a listType")
+		// }
+		return Validations{}, nil
+	}
+
+	result := Validations{}
+
+	// Generate uniqueness checks for lists with higher-order semantics.
+	nt := util.NativeType(context.Type)
+	if lm.declaredAsSet {
+		// Only compare primitive values when possible. Slices and maps are not
+		// comparable, and structs might hold pointer fields, which are directly
+		// comparable but not what we need.
+		//
+		// NOTE: lists of pointers are not supported, so we should never see a pointer here.
+		matchArg := validateSemanticDeepEqual
+		if util.IsDirectComparable(util.NonPointer(util.NativeType(nt.Elem))) {
+			matchArg = validateDirectEqual
+		}
+		f := Function("listValidator", DefaultFlags, validateUnique, Identifier(matchArg))
+		result.AddFunction(f)
+	}
+	if lm.declaredAsMap {
+		// TODO: There are some fields which are declared as maps which do not
+		// enforce uniqueness in manual validation. Those either need to not be
+		// maps or we need to allow types to opt-out from this validation.  SSA
+		// is also not able to handle these well.
+		matchArg := lm.makeListMapMatchFunc(nt.Elem)
+		f := Function("listValidator", DefaultFlags, validateUnique, matchArg)
+		result.AddFunction(f)
+	}
+
+	return result, nil
+}
+
+// make sure a given listMetadata makes sense.
+func (lv listValidator) check(lm *listMetadata) error {
+	if lm != nil {
+		// Check some fundamental constraints on list tags.
+		decls := []string{}
+		if lm.declaredAsAtomic {
+			decls = append(decls, "atomic")
+		}
+		if lm.declaredAsSet {
+			decls = append(decls, "set")
+		}
+		if lm.declaredAsMap {
+			decls = append(decls, "map")
+		}
+		if len(decls) > 1 {
+			return fmt.Errorf("listType cannot have multiple types (%s)", strings.Join(decls, ", "))
+		}
+		if lm.declaredAsMap && len(lm.keyFields) == 0 {
+			return fmt.Errorf("found listType=map without listMapKey")
+		}
+		if len(lm.keyFields) > 0 && !lm.declaredAsMap {
+			return fmt.Errorf("found listMapKey without listType=map")
+		}
+		// Check for missing listType (after the other checks so the more specific errors take priority)
+		if len(decls) == 0 {
+			return fmt.Errorf("found list metadata without a listType")
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 type eachValTagValidator struct {
-	byFieldPath map[string]*listMap
-	validator   Validator
+	byPath    map[string]*listMetadata
+	validator Validator
 }
 
 func (evtv *eachValTagValidator) Init(cfg Config) {
@@ -201,30 +379,33 @@ func (eachValTagValidator) ValidScopes() sets.Set[Scope] {
 	return listTagsValidScopes
 }
 
-// LateTagValidator indicatesa that validator has to run after the listType and
-// listMapKey tags.
+// LateTagValidator indicates that this validator has to run AFTER the listType
+// and listMapKey tags.
 func (eachValTagValidator) LateTagValidator() {}
 
 var (
-	validateEachSliceVal = types.Name{Package: libValidationPkg, Name: "EachSliceVal"}
-	validateEachMapVal   = types.Name{Package: libValidationPkg, Name: "EachMapVal"}
+	validateEachSliceVal      = types.Name{Package: libValidationPkg, Name: "EachSliceVal"}
+	validateEachMapVal        = types.Name{Package: libValidationPkg, Name: "EachMapVal"}
+	validateSemanticDeepEqual = types.Name{Package: libValidationPkg, Name: "SemanticDeepEqual"}
+	validateDirectEqual       = types.Name{Package: libValidationPkg, Name: "DirectEqual"}
 )
 
 func (evtv eachValTagValidator) GetValidations(context Context, tag codetags.Tag) (Validations, error) {
 	// NOTE: pointers to lists and maps are not supported, so we should never see a pointer here.
-	t := util.NativeType(context.Type)
-	switch t.Kind {
+	t := context.Type
+	nt := util.NativeType(t)
+	switch nt.Kind {
 	case types.Slice, types.Array, types.Map:
 	default:
-		return Validations{}, fmt.Errorf("can only be used on list or map types")
+		return Validations{}, fmt.Errorf("can only be used on list or map types (%s)", t.Kind)
 	}
 
 	elemContext := Context{
-		Type:   t.Elem,
-		Parent: t,
+		Type:   nt.Elem,
+		Parent: t, // possibly an alias
 		Path:   context.Path.Key("*"),
 	}
-	switch t.Kind {
+	switch nt.Kind {
 	case types.Slice, types.Array:
 		elemContext.Scope = ScopeListVal
 	case types.Map:
@@ -242,12 +423,16 @@ func (evtv eachValTagValidator) GetValidations(context Context, tag codetags.Tag
 		if len(validations.Variables) > 0 {
 			return Validations{}, fmt.Errorf("variable generation is not supported")
 		}
+		// Pass the real (possibly alias) type.
 		return evtv.getValidations(context.Path, t, validations)
 	}
 }
 
+// t is expected to be the top-most type of the list or map. For example, if
+// this is a typedef to a list, this is the alias type, not the underlying
+// type.
 func (evtv eachValTagValidator) getValidations(fldPath *field.Path, t *types.Type, validations Validations) (Validations, error) {
-	switch t.Kind {
+	switch util.NativeType(t).Kind {
 	case types.Slice, types.Array:
 		return evtv.getListValidations(fldPath, t, validations)
 	case types.Map:
@@ -257,59 +442,85 @@ func (evtv eachValTagValidator) getValidations(fldPath *field.Path, t *types.Typ
 }
 
 // ForEachVal returns a validation that applies a function to each element of
-// a list or map.
+// a list or map. The type argument is expected to be the top-most type of the
+// list or map. For example, if this is a typedef to a list, this is the alias
+// type, not the underlying type.
 func ForEachVal(fldPath *field.Path, t *types.Type, fn FunctionGen) (Validations, error) {
 	return globalEachVal.getValidations(fldPath, t, Validations{Functions: []FunctionGen{fn}})
 }
 
+// t is expected to be the top-most type of the list. For example, if this is a
+// typedef to a list, this is the alias type, not the underlying type.
 func (evtv eachValTagValidator) getListValidations(fldPath *field.Path, t *types.Type, validations Validations) (Validations, error) {
 	result := Validations{}
 	result.OpaqueValType = validations.OpaqueType
 
-	var listMap *listMap
-	if lm, found := evtv.byFieldPath[fldPath.String()]; found {
-		if !lm.declaredAsMap {
-			return Validations{}, fmt.Errorf("found listMapKey without listType=map")
+	// This type is a "late" validator, so it runs after all the keys are
+	// registered.  See LateTagValidator() above.
+	listMetadata := evtv.byPath[fldPath.String()]
+	if listMetadata == nil {
+		// If we don't have metadata for this field, we might have it for the
+		// field's type.
+		listMetadata = evtv.byPath[t.String()]
+	}
+
+	nt := util.NativeType(t)
+
+	// matchArg is the function that is used to lookup the correlated element in the old list.
+	var matchArg any = Literal("nil")
+
+	// equivArg is the function that is used to compare the correlated elements in the old and new lists.
+	// It would be "nil" if the matchArg is a full comparison function.
+	var equivArg any = Literal("nil")
+
+	// directComparable is used to determine whether we can use the direct
+	// comparison operator "==" or need to use the semantic DeepEqual when
+	// looking up and comparing correlated list elements for validation ratcheting.
+	directComparable := util.IsDirectComparable(util.NonPointer(util.NativeType(nt.Elem)))
+
+	switch {
+	case listMetadata != nil && listMetadata.declaredAsMap:
+		// For listType=map, we use key to lookup the correlated element in the old list.
+		// And use equivFunc to compare the correlated elements in the old and new lists.
+		matchArg = listMetadata.makeListMapMatchFunc(nt.Elem)
+		if directComparable {
+			equivArg = Identifier(validateDirectEqual)
+		} else {
+			equivArg = Identifier(validateSemanticDeepEqual)
 		}
-		if len(lm.keyFields) == 0 {
-			return Validations{}, fmt.Errorf("found listType=map without listMapKey")
+	case listMetadata != nil && listMetadata.declaredAsSet:
+		// For listType=set, matchArg is the equivalence check, so equivArg is nil.
+		if directComparable {
+			matchArg = Identifier(validateDirectEqual)
+		} else {
+			matchArg = Identifier(validateSemanticDeepEqual)
 		}
-		listMap = lm
+	default:
+		// For non-map and non-set list, we don't lookup the correlated element in the old list.
+		// The matchArg and equivArg are both nil.
 	}
 	for _, vfn := range validations.Functions {
-		var cmpArg any = Literal("nil")
-		if listMap != nil {
-			cmpFn := FunctionLiteral{
-				Parameters: []ParamResult{{"a", t.Elem}, {"b", t.Elem}},
-				Results:    []ParamResult{{"", types.Bool}},
-			}
-			buf := strings.Builder{}
-			buf.WriteString("return ")
-			// Note: this does not handle pointer fields, which are not
-			// supposed to be used as listMap keys.
-			for i, fld := range listMap.keyFields {
-				if i > 0 {
-					buf.WriteString(" && ")
-				}
-				buf.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("a.%s == b.%s", fld, fld))
-			}
-			cmpFn.Body = buf.String()
-			cmpArg = cmpFn
-		}
-		f := Function(eachValTagName, vfn.Flags, validateEachSliceVal, cmpArg, WrapperFunction{vfn, t.Elem})
-		result.Functions = append(result.Functions, f)
+		f := Function(eachValTagName, vfn.Flags, validateEachSliceVal, matchArg, equivArg, WrapperFunction{vfn, nt.Elem})
+		result.AddFunction(f)
 	}
 
 	return result, nil
 }
 
+// t is expected to be the top-most type of the map. For example, if this is a
+// typedef to a map, this is the alias type, not the underlying type.
 func (evtv eachValTagValidator) getMapValidations(t *types.Type, validations Validations) (Validations, error) {
 	result := Validations{}
 	result.OpaqueValType = validations.OpaqueType
 
+	nt := util.NativeType(t)
+	equivArg := Identifier(validateSemanticDeepEqual)
+	if util.IsDirectComparable(util.NonPointer(util.NativeType(nt.Elem))) {
+		equivArg = Identifier(validateDirectEqual)
+	}
 	for _, vfn := range validations.Functions {
-		f := Function(eachValTagName, vfn.Flags, validateEachMapVal, WrapperFunction{vfn, t.Elem})
-		result.Functions = append(result.Functions, f)
+		f := Function(eachValTagName, vfn.Flags, validateEachMapVal, equivArg, WrapperFunction{vfn, nt.Elem})
+		result.AddFunction(f)
 	}
 
 	return result, nil
@@ -354,7 +565,7 @@ func (ektv eachKeyTagValidator) GetValidations(context Context, tag codetags.Tag
 	// NOTE: pointers to lists are not supported, so we should never see a pointer here.
 	t := util.NativeType(context.Type)
 	if t.Kind != types.Map {
-		return Validations{}, fmt.Errorf("can only be used on map types")
+		return Validations{}, fmt.Errorf("can only be used on map types (%s)", t.Kind)
 	}
 
 	elemContext := Context{
@@ -363,6 +574,7 @@ func (ektv eachKeyTagValidator) GetValidations(context Context, tag codetags.Tag
 		Parent: t,
 		Path:   context.Path.Child("(keys)"),
 	}
+
 	if validations, err := ektv.validator.ExtractValidations(elemContext, *tag.ValueTag); err != nil {
 		return Validations{}, err
 	} else {
@@ -379,7 +591,7 @@ func (ektv eachKeyTagValidator) getValidations(t *types.Type, validations Valida
 	result.OpaqueKeyType = validations.OpaqueType
 	for _, vfn := range validations.Functions {
 		f := Function(eachKeyTagName, vfn.Flags, validateEachMapKey, WrapperFunction{vfn, t.Key})
-		result.Functions = append(result.Functions, f)
+		result.AddFunction(f)
 	}
 	return result, nil
 }
diff --git a/staging/src/k8s.io/code-generator/cmd/validation-gen/validators/immutable.go b/staging/src/k8s.io/code-generator/cmd/validation-gen/validators/immutable.go
index 12be03c7924..92ae2fd2b89 100644
--- a/staging/src/k8s.io/code-generator/cmd/validation-gen/validators/immutable.go
+++ b/staging/src/k8s.io/code-generator/cmd/validation-gen/validators/immutable.go
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ var (
 func (immutableTagValidator) GetValidations(context Context, _ codetags.Tag) (Validations, error) {
 	var result Validations
 
-	if util.NonPointer(util.NativeType(context.Type)).Kind == types.Builtin {
+	if util.IsDirectComparable(util.NonPointer(util.NativeType(context.Type))) {
 		// This is a minor optimization to just compare primitive values when
 		// possible. Slices and maps are not comparable, and structs might hold
 		// pointer fields, which are directly comparable but not what we need.