diff --git a/api/kyverno/v1/match_resources_types.go b/api/kyverno/v1/match_resources_types.go
index 19441c8a04..bf16f0b1ee 100644
--- a/api/kyverno/v1/match_resources_types.go
+++ b/api/kyverno/v1/match_resources_types.go
@@ -46,6 +46,9 @@ func (m *MatchResources) GetKinds() []string {
 
 // Validate implements programmatic validation
 func (m *MatchResources) Validate(path *field.Path, namespaced bool, clusterResources sets.Set[string]) (errs field.ErrorList) {
+	if m == nil {
+		return errs
+	}
 	if len(m.Any) > 0 && len(m.All) > 0 {
 		errs = append(errs, field.Invalid(path, m, "Can't specify any and all together"))
 	}
diff --git a/api/kyverno/v1/rule_types.go b/api/kyverno/v1/rule_types.go
index 92e5b6fd60..755ef52e13 100644
--- a/api/kyverno/v1/rule_types.go
+++ b/api/kyverno/v1/rule_types.go
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ type Rule struct {
 	// criteria can include resource information (e.g. kind, name, namespace, labels)
 	// and admission review request information like the name or role.
 	// +optional
-	ExcludeResources MatchResources `json:"exclude,omitempty"`
+	ExcludeResources *MatchResources `json:"exclude,omitempty"`
 
 	// ImageExtractors defines a mapping from kinds to ImageExtractorConfigs.
 	// This config is only valid for verifyImages rules.
@@ -252,6 +252,9 @@ func (r *Rule) ValidateRuleType(path *field.Path) (errs field.ErrorList) {
 
 // ValidateMatchExcludeConflict checks if the resultant of match and exclude block is not an empty set
 func (r *Rule) ValidateMatchExcludeConflict(path *field.Path) (errs field.ErrorList) {
+	if r.ExcludeResources == nil {
+		return errs
+	}
 	if len(r.ExcludeResources.All) > 0 || len(r.MatchResources.All) > 0 {
 		return errs
 	}
@@ -266,7 +269,7 @@ func (r *Rule) ValidateMatchExcludeConflict(path *field.Path) (errs field.ErrorL
 		}
 		return errs
 	}
-	if datautils.DeepEqual(r.ExcludeResources, MatchResources{}) {
+	if datautils.DeepEqual(*r.ExcludeResources, MatchResources{}) {
 		return errs
 	}
 	excludeRoles := sets.New(r.ExcludeResources.Roles...)
diff --git a/api/kyverno/v1/zz_generated.deepcopy.go b/api/kyverno/v1/zz_generated.deepcopy.go
index e317397785..d1cc33eb32 100755
--- a/api/kyverno/v1/zz_generated.deepcopy.go
+++ b/api/kyverno/v1/zz_generated.deepcopy.go
@@ -1396,7 +1396,11 @@ func (in *Rule) DeepCopyInto(out *Rule) {
 		}
 	}
 	in.MatchResources.DeepCopyInto(&out.MatchResources)
-	in.ExcludeResources.DeepCopyInto(&out.ExcludeResources)
+	if in.ExcludeResources != nil {
+		in, out := &in.ExcludeResources, &out.ExcludeResources
+		*out = new(MatchResources)
+		(*in).DeepCopyInto(*out)
+	}
 	if in.ImageExtractors != nil {
 		in, out := &in.ImageExtractors, &out.ImageExtractors
 		*out = make(ImageExtractorConfigs, len(*in))
diff --git a/api/kyverno/v2beta1/match_resources_types.go b/api/kyverno/v2beta1/match_resources_types.go
index ba1a676e72..974c00f46e 100644
--- a/api/kyverno/v2beta1/match_resources_types.go
+++ b/api/kyverno/v2beta1/match_resources_types.go
@@ -41,6 +41,9 @@ func (m *MatchResources) GetKinds() []string {
 
 // ValidateNoUserInfo verifies that no user info is used
 func (m *MatchResources) ValidateNoUserInfo(path *field.Path) (errs field.ErrorList) {
+	if m == nil {
+		return errs
+	}
 	anyPath := path.Child("any")
 	for i, filter := range m.Any {
 		errs = append(errs, filter.UserInfo.ValidateNoUserInfo(anyPath.Index(i))...)
@@ -54,6 +57,9 @@ func (m *MatchResources) ValidateNoUserInfo(path *field.Path) (errs field.ErrorL
 
 // ValidateResourceWithNoUserInfo implements programmatic validation and verifies that no user info is used
 func (m *MatchResources) ValidateResourceWithNoUserInfo(path *field.Path, namespaced bool, clusterResources sets.Set[string]) (errs field.ErrorList) {
+	if m == nil {
+		return errs
+	}
 	if len(m.Any) > 0 && len(m.All) > 0 {
 		errs = append(errs, field.Invalid(path, m, "Can't specify any and all together"))
 	}
@@ -72,6 +78,9 @@ func (m *MatchResources) ValidateResourceWithNoUserInfo(path *field.Path, namesp
 
 // Validate implements programmatic validation
 func (m *MatchResources) Validate(path *field.Path, namespaced bool, clusterResources sets.Set[string]) (errs field.ErrorList) {
+	if m == nil {
+		return errs
+	}
 	if len(m.Any) > 0 && len(m.All) > 0 {
 		errs = append(errs, field.Invalid(path, m, "Can't specify any and all together"))
 	}
diff --git a/api/kyverno/v2beta1/rule_types.go b/api/kyverno/v2beta1/rule_types.go
index b469c77faa..986d3835b8 100644
--- a/api/kyverno/v2beta1/rule_types.go
+++ b/api/kyverno/v2beta1/rule_types.go
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ type Rule struct {
 	// criteria can include resource information (e.g. kind, name, namespace, labels)
 	// and admission review request information like the name or role.
 	// +optional
-	ExcludeResources MatchResources `json:"exclude,omitempty"`
+	ExcludeResources *MatchResources `json:"exclude,omitempty"`
 
 	// ImageExtractors defines a mapping from kinds to ImageExtractorConfigs.
 	// This config is only valid for verifyImages rules.
@@ -160,6 +160,9 @@ func (r *Rule) ValidateRuleType(path *field.Path) (errs field.ErrorList) {
 
 // ValidateMatchExcludeConflict checks if the resultant of match and exclude block is not an empty set
 func (r *Rule) ValidateMatchExcludeConflict(path *field.Path) (errs field.ErrorList) {
+	if r.ExcludeResources == nil {
+		return errs
+	}
 	if len(r.ExcludeResources.All) > 0 || len(r.MatchResources.All) > 0 {
 		return errs
 	}
diff --git a/api/kyverno/v2beta1/zz_generated.deepcopy.go b/api/kyverno/v2beta1/zz_generated.deepcopy.go
index c23558c1f4..67d9d7c124 100755
--- a/api/kyverno/v2beta1/zz_generated.deepcopy.go
+++ b/api/kyverno/v2beta1/zz_generated.deepcopy.go
@@ -712,7 +712,11 @@ func (in *Rule) DeepCopyInto(out *Rule) {
 		}
 	}
 	in.MatchResources.DeepCopyInto(&out.MatchResources)
-	in.ExcludeResources.DeepCopyInto(&out.ExcludeResources)
+	if in.ExcludeResources != nil {
+		in, out := &in.ExcludeResources, &out.ExcludeResources
+		*out = new(MatchResources)
+		(*in).DeepCopyInto(*out)
+	}
 	if in.ImageExtractors != nil {
 		in, out := &in.ImageExtractors, &out.ImageExtractors
 		*out = make(v1.ImageExtractorConfigs, len(*in))
diff --git a/cmd/cli/kubectl-kyverno/utils/common/common.go b/cmd/cli/kubectl-kyverno/utils/common/common.go
index 90ca9c1512..03436be721 100644
--- a/cmd/cli/kubectl-kyverno/utils/common/common.go
+++ b/cmd/cli/kubectl-kyverno/utils/common/common.go
@@ -98,13 +98,15 @@ func GetKindsFromPolicy(out io.Writer, policy kyvernov1.PolicyInterface, subreso
 			}
 			knownkinds.Insert(k)
 		}
-		for _, kind := range rule.ExcludeResources.ResourceDescription.Kinds {
-			k, err := getKind(kind, subresources, dClient)
-			if err != nil {
-				fmt.Fprintf(out, "Error: %s", err.Error())
-				continue
+		if rule.ExcludeResources != nil {
+			for _, kind := range rule.ExcludeResources.ResourceDescription.Kinds {
+				k, err := getKind(kind, subresources, dClient)
+				if err != nil {
+					fmt.Fprintf(out, "Error: %s", err.Error())
+					continue
+				}
+				knownkinds.Insert(k)
 			}
-			knownkinds.Insert(k)
 		}
 	}
 	return knownkinds
diff --git a/pkg/autogen/autogen.go b/pkg/autogen/autogen.go
index 837c654cd8..35a8ed8800 100644
--- a/pkg/autogen/autogen.go
+++ b/pkg/autogen/autogen.go
@@ -77,8 +77,8 @@ func CanAutoGen(spec *kyvernov1.Spec) (applyAutoGen bool, controllers sets.Set[s
 				return false, sets.New("none")
 			}
 		}
-		match, exclude := rule.MatchResources, rule.ExcludeResources
-		if !checkAutogenSupport(&needed, match.ResourceDescription, exclude.ResourceDescription) {
+		match := rule.MatchResources
+		if !checkAutogenSupport(&needed, match.ResourceDescription) {
 			debug.Info("skip generating rule on pod controllers: Name / Selector in resource description may not be applicable.", "rule", rule.Name)
 			return false, sets.New[string]()
 		}
@@ -94,16 +94,22 @@ func CanAutoGen(spec *kyvernov1.Spec) (applyAutoGen bool, controllers sets.Set[s
 				return false, sets.New[string]()
 			}
 		}
-		for _, value := range exclude.Any {
-			if !checkAutogenSupport(&needed, value.ResourceDescription) {
-				debug.Info("skip generating rule on pod controllers: Name / Selector in exclude any block is not applicable.", "rule", rule.Name)
+		if exclude := rule.ExcludeResources; exclude != nil {
+			if !checkAutogenSupport(&needed, exclude.ResourceDescription) {
+				debug.Info("skip generating rule on pod controllers: Name / Selector in resource description may not be applicable.", "rule", rule.Name)
 				return false, sets.New[string]()
 			}
-		}
-		for _, value := range exclude.All {
-			if !checkAutogenSupport(&needed, value.ResourceDescription) {
-				debug.Info("skip generating rule on pod controllers: Name / Selector in exclud all block is not applicable.", "rule", rule.Name)
-				return false, sets.New[string]()
+			for _, value := range exclude.Any {
+				if !checkAutogenSupport(&needed, value.ResourceDescription) {
+					debug.Info("skip generating rule on pod controllers: Name / Selector in exclude any block is not applicable.", "rule", rule.Name)
+					return false, sets.New[string]()
+				}
+			}
+			for _, value := range exclude.All {
+				if !checkAutogenSupport(&needed, value.ResourceDescription) {
+					debug.Info("skip generating rule on pod controllers: Name / Selector in exclud all block is not applicable.", "rule", rule.Name)
+					return false, sets.New[string]()
+				}
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -210,7 +216,7 @@ func convertRule(rule kyvernoRule, kind string) (*kyvernov1.Rule, error) {
 		out.MatchResources = *rule.MatchResources
 	}
 	if rule.ExcludeResources != nil {
-		out.ExcludeResources = *rule.ExcludeResources
+		out.ExcludeResources = rule.ExcludeResources
 	}
 	if rule.Context != nil {
 		out.Context = *rule.Context
diff --git a/pkg/autogen/rule.go b/pkg/autogen/rule.go
index e84df54ef1..78bafe1b28 100644
--- a/pkg/autogen/rule.go
+++ b/pkg/autogen/rule.go
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ func createRule(rule *kyvernov1.Rule) *kyvernoRule {
 	if !datautils.DeepEqual(rule.MatchResources, kyvernov1.MatchResources{}) {
 		jsonFriendlyStruct.MatchResources = rule.MatchResources.DeepCopy()
 	}
-	if !datautils.DeepEqual(rule.ExcludeResources, kyvernov1.MatchResources{}) {
+	if rule.ExcludeResources != nil && !datautils.DeepEqual(*rule.ExcludeResources, kyvernov1.MatchResources{}) {
 		jsonFriendlyStruct.ExcludeResources = rule.ExcludeResources.DeepCopy()
 	}
 	if !datautils.DeepEqual(rule.Mutation, kyvernov1.Mutation{}) {
@@ -84,13 +84,15 @@ func generateRule(name string, rule *kyvernov1.Rule, tplKey, shift string, kinds
 	} else {
 		rule.MatchResources.Kinds = kinds
 	}
-	if len(rule.ExcludeResources.Any) > 0 {
-		rule.ExcludeResources.Any = grf(rule.ExcludeResources.Any, kinds)
-	} else if len(rule.ExcludeResources.All) > 0 {
-		rule.ExcludeResources.All = grf(rule.ExcludeResources.All, kinds)
-	} else {
-		if len(rule.ExcludeResources.Kinds) != 0 {
-			rule.ExcludeResources.Kinds = kinds
+	if rule.ExcludeResources != nil {
+		if len(rule.ExcludeResources.Any) > 0 {
+			rule.ExcludeResources.Any = grf(rule.ExcludeResources.Any, kinds)
+		} else if len(rule.ExcludeResources.All) > 0 {
+			rule.ExcludeResources.All = grf(rule.ExcludeResources.All, kinds)
+		} else {
+			if len(rule.ExcludeResources.Kinds) != 0 {
+				rule.ExcludeResources.Kinds = kinds
+			}
 		}
 	}
 	if target := rule.Mutation.GetPatchStrategicMerge(); target != nil {
@@ -255,8 +257,12 @@ func generateRuleForControllers(rule *kyvernov1.Rule, controllers string) *kyver
 		return nil
 	}
 	debug.Info("processing rule", "rulename", rule.Name)
-	match, exclude := rule.MatchResources, rule.ExcludeResources
-	matchKinds, excludeKinds := match.GetKinds(), exclude.GetKinds()
+	match := rule.MatchResources
+	matchKinds := match.GetKinds()
+	var excludeKinds []string
+	if exclude := rule.ExcludeResources; exclude != nil {
+		excludeKinds = exclude.GetKinds()
+	}
 	if !kubeutils.ContainsKind(matchKinds, "Pod") || (len(excludeKinds) != 0 && !kubeutils.ContainsKind(excludeKinds, "Pod")) {
 		return nil
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/controllers/webhook/controller_test.go b/pkg/controllers/webhook/controller_test.go
index 80eacc3494..6f89db23c3 100644
--- a/pkg/controllers/webhook/controller_test.go
+++ b/pkg/controllers/webhook/controller_test.go
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ func TestAddOperationsForValidatingWebhookConf(t *testing.T) {
 							Kinds: []string{"ConfigMap"},
 						},
 					},
-					ExcludeResources: kyverno.MatchResources{
+					ExcludeResources: &kyverno.MatchResources{
 						ResourceDescription: kyverno.ResourceDescription{
 							Operations: []kyverno.AdmissionOperation{"DELETE", "CONNECT", "CREATE"},
 						},
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ func TestAddOperationsForMutatingtingWebhookConf(t *testing.T) {
 							Kinds: []string{"Secret"},
 						},
 					},
-					ExcludeResources: kyverno.MatchResources{
+					ExcludeResources: &kyverno.MatchResources{
 						ResourceDescription: kyverno.ResourceDescription{
 							Operations: []kyverno.AdmissionOperation{"UPDATE"},
 						},
diff --git a/pkg/controllers/webhook/utils.go b/pkg/controllers/webhook/utils.go
index ccdda98eaa..c093ae3f32 100644
--- a/pkg/controllers/webhook/utils.go
+++ b/pkg/controllers/webhook/utils.go
@@ -263,16 +263,18 @@ func computeOperationsForValidatingWebhookConf(r kyvernov1.Rule, operationStatus
 		operationStatusMap[webhookConnect] = true
 		operationStatusMap[webhookDelete] = true
 	}
-	if r.ExcludeResources.ResourceDescription.Operations != nil {
-		for _, o := range r.ExcludeResources.ResourceDescription.Operations {
-			operationStatusMap[string(o)] = false
+	if r.ExcludeResources != nil {
+		if r.ExcludeResources.ResourceDescription.Operations != nil {
+			for _, o := range r.ExcludeResources.ResourceDescription.Operations {
+				operationStatusMap[string(o)] = false
+			}
+		}
+		if len(r.ExcludeResources.Any) != 0 {
+			_, operationStatusMap = scanResourceFilterForExclude(r.ExcludeResources.Any, operationStatusMap)
+		}
+		if len(r.ExcludeResources.All) != 0 {
+			_, operationStatusMap = scanResourceFilterForExclude(r.ExcludeResources.All, operationStatusMap)
 		}
-	}
-	if len(r.ExcludeResources.Any) != 0 {
-		_, operationStatusMap = scanResourceFilterForExclude(r.ExcludeResources.Any, operationStatusMap)
-	}
-	if len(r.ExcludeResources.All) != 0 {
-		_, operationStatusMap = scanResourceFilterForExclude(r.ExcludeResources.All, operationStatusMap)
 	}
 	return operationStatusMap
 }
@@ -307,16 +309,18 @@ func computeOperationsForMutatingWebhookConf(r kyvernov1.Rule, operationStatusMa
 			operationStatusMap[webhookCreate] = true
 			operationStatusMap[webhookUpdate] = true
 		}
-		if r.ExcludeResources.ResourceDescription.Operations != nil {
-			for _, o := range r.ExcludeResources.ResourceDescription.Operations {
-				operationStatusMap[string(o)] = false
+		if r.ExcludeResources != nil {
+			if r.ExcludeResources.ResourceDescription.Operations != nil {
+				for _, o := range r.ExcludeResources.ResourceDescription.Operations {
+					operationStatusMap[string(o)] = false
+				}
+			}
+			if len(r.ExcludeResources.Any) != 0 {
+				_, operationStatusMap = scanResourceFilterForExclude(r.ExcludeResources.Any, operationStatusMap)
+			}
+			if len(r.ExcludeResources.All) != 0 {
+				_, operationStatusMap = scanResourceFilterForExclude(r.ExcludeResources.All, operationStatusMap)
 			}
-		}
-		if len(r.ExcludeResources.Any) != 0 {
-			_, operationStatusMap = scanResourceFilterForExclude(r.ExcludeResources.Any, operationStatusMap)
-		}
-		if len(r.ExcludeResources.All) != 0 {
-			_, operationStatusMap = scanResourceFilterForExclude(r.ExcludeResources.All, operationStatusMap)
 		}
 	}
 	return operationStatusMap
@@ -375,17 +379,19 @@ func computeResourcesOfRule(r kyvernov1.Rule) []string {
 	if len(r.MatchResources.All) != 0 {
 		resources = scanResourceFilterForResources(r.MatchResources.Any)
 	}
-	if len(r.ExcludeResources.Any) != 0 {
-		resources = scanResourceFilterForResources(r.MatchResources.Any)
-	}
-	if len(r.ExcludeResources.All) != 0 {
-		resources = scanResourceFilterForResources(r.MatchResources.Any)
-	}
 	if r.MatchResources.ResourceDescription.Kinds != nil {
 		resources = append(resources, r.MatchResources.ResourceDescription.Kinds...)
 	}
-	if r.ExcludeResources.ResourceDescription.Kinds != nil {
-		resources = append(resources, r.ExcludeResources.ResourceDescription.Kinds...)
+	if r.ExcludeResources != nil {
+		if len(r.ExcludeResources.Any) != 0 {
+			resources = scanResourceFilterForResources(r.MatchResources.Any)
+		}
+		if len(r.ExcludeResources.All) != 0 {
+			resources = scanResourceFilterForResources(r.MatchResources.Any)
+		}
+		if r.ExcludeResources.ResourceDescription.Kinds != nil {
+			resources = append(resources, r.ExcludeResources.ResourceDescription.Kinds...)
+		}
 	}
 	return resources
 }
diff --git a/pkg/controllers/webhook/utils_test.go b/pkg/controllers/webhook/utils_test.go
index d6b01c82f9..29d6e5bf2c 100644
--- a/pkg/controllers/webhook/utils_test.go
+++ b/pkg/controllers/webhook/utils_test.go
@@ -241,14 +241,14 @@ func TestComputeOperationsForMutatingWebhookConf(t *testing.T) {
 						PatchesJSON6902: "add",
 					},
 					MatchResources:   kyvernov1.MatchResources{},
-					ExcludeResources: kyvernov1.MatchResources{},
+					ExcludeResources: &kyvernov1.MatchResources{},
 				},
 				{
 					Mutation: kyvernov1.Mutation{
 						PatchesJSON6902: "add",
 					},
 					MatchResources:   kyvernov1.MatchResources{},
-					ExcludeResources: kyvernov1.MatchResources{},
+					ExcludeResources: &kyvernov1.MatchResources{},
 				},
 			},
 			expectedResult: map[string]bool{
@@ -264,7 +264,7 @@ func TestComputeOperationsForMutatingWebhookConf(t *testing.T) {
 						PatchesJSON6902: "add",
 					},
 					MatchResources: kyvernov1.MatchResources{},
-					ExcludeResources: kyvernov1.MatchResources{
+					ExcludeResources: &kyvernov1.MatchResources{
 						ResourceDescription: kyvernov1.ResourceDescription{
 							Operations: []kyvernov1.AdmissionOperation{webhookCreate},
 						},
@@ -317,7 +317,7 @@ func TestComputeOperationsForValidatingWebhookConf(t *testing.T) {
 			rules: []kyvernov1.Rule{
 				{
 					MatchResources:   kyvernov1.MatchResources{},
-					ExcludeResources: kyvernov1.MatchResources{},
+					ExcludeResources: &kyvernov1.MatchResources{},
 				},
 			},
 			expectedResult: map[string]bool{
@@ -336,7 +336,7 @@ func TestComputeOperationsForValidatingWebhookConf(t *testing.T) {
 							Operations: []kyvernov1.AdmissionOperation{webhookCreate, webhookUpdate},
 						},
 					},
-					ExcludeResources: kyvernov1.MatchResources{
+					ExcludeResources: &kyvernov1.MatchResources{
 						ResourceDescription: kyvernov1.ResourceDescription{
 							Operations: []kyvernov1.AdmissionOperation{webhookDelete},
 						},
diff --git a/pkg/engine/handlers/validation/utils.go b/pkg/engine/handlers/validation/utils.go
index 33f7043c06..2984e2b051 100644
--- a/pkg/engine/handlers/validation/utils.go
+++ b/pkg/engine/handlers/validation/utils.go
@@ -25,21 +25,22 @@ func matchResource(resource unstructured.Unstructured, rule kyvernov1.Rule) bool
 			return false
 		}
 	}
-
-	if rule.ExcludeResources.All != nil || rule.ExcludeResources.Any != nil {
-		excluded := match.CheckMatchesResources(
-			resource,
-			kyvernov2beta1.MatchResources{
-				Any: rule.ExcludeResources.Any,
-				All: rule.ExcludeResources.All,
-			},
-			make(map[string]string),
-			kyvernov2.RequestInfo{},
-			resource.GroupVersionKind(),
-			"",
-		)
-		if excluded == nil {
-			return false
+	if rule.ExcludeResources != nil {
+		if rule.ExcludeResources.All != nil || rule.ExcludeResources.Any != nil {
+			excluded := match.CheckMatchesResources(
+				resource,
+				kyvernov2beta1.MatchResources{
+					Any: rule.ExcludeResources.Any,
+					All: rule.ExcludeResources.All,
+				},
+				make(map[string]string),
+				kyvernov2.RequestInfo{},
+				resource.GroupVersionKind(),
+				"",
+			)
+			if excluded == nil {
+				return false
+			}
 		}
 	}
 	return true
diff --git a/pkg/engine/utils/match.go b/pkg/engine/utils/match.go
index 1488b789b6..e085d16833 100644
--- a/pkg/engine/utils/match.go
+++ b/pkg/engine/utils/match.go
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ func MatchesResourceDescription(
 	}
 
 	// check exlude conditions only if match succeeds
-	if len(reasonsForFailure) == 0 {
+	if len(reasonsForFailure) == 0 && rule.ExcludeResources != nil {
 		if len(rule.ExcludeResources.Any) > 0 {
 			// exclude the object if ANY of the criteria match
 			for _, rer := range rule.ExcludeResources.Any {
diff --git a/pkg/engine/utils/utils_test.go b/pkg/engine/utils/utils_test.go
index cec5c59ddc..bd6c7cc003 100644
--- a/pkg/engine/utils/utils_test.go
+++ b/pkg/engine/utils/utils_test.go
@@ -1963,7 +1963,7 @@ func TestResourceDescriptionMatch_ExcludeDefaultGroups(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 			},
 		}},
-		ExcludeResources: v1.MatchResources{},
+		ExcludeResources: &v1.MatchResources{},
 	}
 
 	// this is the request info that was also passed with the mocked pod
@@ -1996,7 +1996,7 @@ func TestResourceDescriptionMatch_ExcludeDefaultGroups(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 			},
 		}},
-		ExcludeResources: v1.MatchResources{Any: v1.ResourceFilters{}},
+		ExcludeResources: &v1.MatchResources{Any: v1.ResourceFilters{}},
 	}
 
 	// Second test: confirm that matching this rule does not create any errors (and raise if err != nil)
@@ -2005,7 +2005,7 @@ func TestResourceDescriptionMatch_ExcludeDefaultGroups(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// Now we extend the previous rule to have an Exclude part. Making it 'not-empty' should make the exclude-code run.
-	rule2.ExcludeResources = v1.MatchResources{Any: v1.ResourceFilters{
+	rule2.ExcludeResources = &v1.MatchResources{Any: v1.ResourceFilters{
 		v1.ResourceFilter{
 			ResourceDescription: v1.ResourceDescription{
 				Kinds: []string{"Pod"},
@@ -2461,7 +2461,7 @@ func TestResourceDescriptionExclude_Label_Expression_Match(t *testing.T) {
 
 	rule := v1.Rule{
 		MatchResources:   v1.MatchResources{ResourceDescription: resourceDescription},
-		ExcludeResources: v1.MatchResources{ResourceDescription: resourceDescriptionExclude},
+		ExcludeResources: &v1.MatchResources{ResourceDescription: resourceDescriptionExclude},
 	}
 
 	if err := MatchesResourceDescription(*resource, rule, v2.RequestInfo{}, nil, "", resource.GroupVersionKind(), "", "CREATE"); err == nil {
diff --git a/pkg/utils/fuzz/policy_spec.go b/pkg/utils/fuzz/policy_spec.go
index 021f8abfcc..fb9042c9a2 100644
--- a/pkg/utils/fuzz/policy_spec.go
+++ b/pkg/utils/fuzz/policy_spec.go
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ func createRule(f *fuzz.ConsumeFuzzer) (*kyvernov1.Rule, error) {
 		if err != nil {
 			return rule, err
 		}
-		rule.ExcludeResources = *er
+		rule.ExcludeResources = er
 	}
 
 	setRawAnyAllConditions, err := f.GetBool()
diff --git a/pkg/validatingadmissionpolicy/builder.go b/pkg/validatingadmissionpolicy/builder.go
index 6453a180a3..4201c10b67 100644
--- a/pkg/validatingadmissionpolicy/builder.go
+++ b/pkg/validatingadmissionpolicy/builder.go
@@ -57,21 +57,22 @@ func BuildValidatingAdmissionPolicy(
 	}
 
 	// convert the exclude block
-	exclude := rule.ExcludeResources
-	if !exclude.ResourceDescription.IsEmpty() {
-		if err := translateResource(discoveryClient, &matchResources, &excludeRules, exclude.ResourceDescription, false); err != nil {
-			return err
+	if exclude := rule.ExcludeResources; exclude != nil {
+		if !exclude.ResourceDescription.IsEmpty() {
+			if err := translateResource(discoveryClient, &matchResources, &excludeRules, exclude.ResourceDescription, false); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
 		}
-	}
 
-	if exclude.Any != nil {
-		if err := translateResourceFilters(discoveryClient, &matchResources, &excludeRules, exclude.Any, false); err != nil {
-			return err
+		if exclude.Any != nil {
+			if err := translateResourceFilters(discoveryClient, &matchResources, &excludeRules, exclude.Any, false); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
 		}
-	}
-	if exclude.All != nil {
-		if err := translateResourceFilters(discoveryClient, &matchResources, &excludeRules, exclude.All, false); err != nil {
-			return err
+		if exclude.All != nil {
+			if err := translateResourceFilters(discoveryClient, &matchResources, &excludeRules, exclude.All, false); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
 		}
 	}
 
diff --git a/pkg/validatingadmissionpolicy/kyvernopolicy_checker.go b/pkg/validatingadmissionpolicy/kyvernopolicy_checker.go
index 9e02e77bdc..ab76e5252c 100644
--- a/pkg/validatingadmissionpolicy/kyvernopolicy_checker.go
+++ b/pkg/validatingadmissionpolicy/kyvernopolicy_checker.go
@@ -72,25 +72,16 @@ func checkPolicy(spec *kyvernov1.Spec) (bool, string) {
 	}
 
 	// check the matched/excluded resources of the CEL rule.
-	match, exclude := rule.MatchResources, rule.ExcludeResources
+	match := rule.MatchResources
 	if ok, msg := checkUserInfo(match.UserInfo); !ok {
 		return false, msg
 	}
-	if ok, msg := checkUserInfo(exclude.UserInfo); !ok {
-		return false, msg
-	}
-
 	if ok, msg := checkResources(match.ResourceDescription, true); !ok {
 		return false, msg
 	}
-	if ok, msg := checkResources(exclude.ResourceDescription, false); !ok {
-		return false, msg
-	}
-
 	if ok, msg := checkResourceFilter(match.Any, true); !ok {
 		return false, msg
 	}
-
 	if len(match.All) > 1 {
 		msg = "skip generating ValidatingAdmissionPolicy: multiple 'all' in the match block is not applicable."
 		return false, msg
@@ -98,17 +89,24 @@ func checkPolicy(spec *kyvernov1.Spec) (bool, string) {
 	if ok, msg := checkResourceFilter(match.All, true); !ok {
 		return false, msg
 	}
-
-	if ok, msg := checkResourceFilter(exclude.Any, false); !ok {
-		return false, msg
-	}
-
-	if len(exclude.All) > 1 {
-		msg = "skip generating ValidatingAdmissionPolicy: multiple 'all' in the exclude block is not applicable."
-		return false, msg
-	}
-	if ok, msg := checkResourceFilter(exclude.All, false); !ok {
-		return false, msg
+	if rule.ExcludeResources != nil {
+		exclude := rule.ExcludeResources
+		if ok, msg := checkUserInfo(exclude.UserInfo); !ok {
+			return false, msg
+		}
+		if ok, msg := checkResources(exclude.ResourceDescription, false); !ok {
+			return false, msg
+		}
+		if ok, msg := checkResourceFilter(exclude.Any, false); !ok {
+			return false, msg
+		}
+		if len(exclude.All) > 1 {
+			msg = "skip generating ValidatingAdmissionPolicy: multiple 'all' in the exclude block is not applicable."
+			return false, msg
+		}
+		if ok, msg := checkResourceFilter(exclude.All, false); !ok {
+			return false, msg
+		}
 	}
 
 	return true, msg
diff --git a/pkg/validation/policy/background.go b/pkg/validation/policy/background.go
index 773e85ee8b..7f512d3731 100644
--- a/pkg/validation/policy/background.go
+++ b/pkg/validation/policy/background.go
@@ -43,11 +43,6 @@ func hasUserMatchExclude(idx int, rule *kyvernov1.Rule) error {
 	if path := userInfoDefined(rule.MatchResources.UserInfo); path != "" {
 		return fmt.Errorf("invalid variable used at path: spec/rules[%d]/match/%s", idx, path)
 	}
-
-	if path := userInfoDefined(rule.ExcludeResources.UserInfo); path != "" {
-		return fmt.Errorf("invalid variable used at path: spec/rules[%d]/exclude/%s", idx, path)
-	}
-
 	if len(rule.MatchResources.Any) > 0 {
 		for i, value := range rule.MatchResources.Any {
 			if path := userInfoDefined(value.UserInfo); path != "" {
@@ -55,7 +50,6 @@ func hasUserMatchExclude(idx int, rule *kyvernov1.Rule) error {
 			}
 		}
 	}
-
 	if len(rule.MatchResources.All) > 0 {
 		for i, value := range rule.MatchResources.All {
 			if path := userInfoDefined(value.UserInfo); path != "" {
@@ -63,23 +57,25 @@ func hasUserMatchExclude(idx int, rule *kyvernov1.Rule) error {
 			}
 		}
 	}
-
-	if len(rule.ExcludeResources.All) > 0 {
-		for i, value := range rule.ExcludeResources.All {
-			if path := userInfoDefined(value.UserInfo); path != "" {
-				return fmt.Errorf("invalid variable used at path: spec/rules[%d]/exclude/all[%d]/%s", idx, i, path)
+	if rule.ExcludeResources != nil {
+		if path := userInfoDefined(rule.ExcludeResources.UserInfo); path != "" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("invalid variable used at path: spec/rules[%d]/exclude/%s", idx, path)
+		}
+		if len(rule.ExcludeResources.All) > 0 {
+			for i, value := range rule.ExcludeResources.All {
+				if path := userInfoDefined(value.UserInfo); path != "" {
+					return fmt.Errorf("invalid variable used at path: spec/rules[%d]/exclude/all[%d]/%s", idx, i, path)
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		if len(rule.ExcludeResources.Any) > 0 {
+			for i, value := range rule.ExcludeResources.Any {
+				if path := userInfoDefined(value.UserInfo); path != "" {
+					return fmt.Errorf("invalid variable used at path: spec/rules[%d]/exclude/any[%d]/%s", idx, i, path)
+				}
 			}
 		}
 	}
-
-	if len(rule.ExcludeResources.Any) > 0 {
-		for i, value := range rule.ExcludeResources.Any {
-			if path := userInfoDefined(value.UserInfo); path != "" {
-				return fmt.Errorf("invalid variable used at path: spec/rules[%d]/exclude/any[%d]/%s", idx, i, path)
-			}
-		}
-	}
-
 	return nil
 }
 
diff --git a/pkg/validation/policy/validate.go b/pkg/validation/policy/validate.go
index f75cf3d125..384c3bf67e 100644
--- a/pkg/validation/policy/validate.go
+++ b/pkg/validation/policy/validate.go
@@ -236,7 +236,6 @@ func Validate(policy, oldPolicy kyvernov1.PolicyInterface, client dclient.Interf
 
 	for i, rule := range rules {
 		match := rule.MatchResources
-		exclude := rule.ExcludeResources
 		for j, value := range match.Any {
 			if err := validateKinds(value.ResourceDescription.Kinds, rule, mock, background, client); err != nil {
 				return warnings, fmt.Errorf("path: spec.rules[%d].match.any[%d].kinds: %v", i, j, err)
@@ -247,23 +246,23 @@ func Validate(policy, oldPolicy kyvernov1.PolicyInterface, client dclient.Interf
 				return warnings, fmt.Errorf("path: spec.rules[%d].match.all[%d].kinds: %v", i, j, err)
 			}
 		}
-		for j, value := range exclude.Any {
-			if err := validateKinds(value.ResourceDescription.Kinds, rule, mock, background, client); err != nil {
-				return warnings, fmt.Errorf("path: spec.rules[%d].exclude.any[%d].kinds: %v", i, j, err)
-			}
-		}
-		for j, value := range exclude.All {
-			if err := validateKinds(value.ResourceDescription.Kinds, rule, mock, background, client); err != nil {
-				return warnings, fmt.Errorf("path: spec.rules[%d].exclude.all[%d].kinds: %v", i, j, err)
-			}
-		}
-
 		if err := validateKinds(rule.MatchResources.Kinds, rule, mock, background, client); err != nil {
 			return warnings, fmt.Errorf("path: spec.rules[%d].match.kinds: %v", i, err)
 		}
-
-		if err := validateKinds(rule.ExcludeResources.Kinds, rule, mock, background, client); err != nil {
-			return warnings, fmt.Errorf("path: spec.rules[%d].exclude.kinds: %v", i, err)
+		if exclude := rule.ExcludeResources; exclude != nil {
+			for j, value := range exclude.Any {
+				if err := validateKinds(value.ResourceDescription.Kinds, rule, mock, background, client); err != nil {
+					return warnings, fmt.Errorf("path: spec.rules[%d].exclude.any[%d].kinds: %v", i, j, err)
+				}
+			}
+			for j, value := range exclude.All {
+				if err := validateKinds(value.ResourceDescription.Kinds, rule, mock, background, client); err != nil {
+					return warnings, fmt.Errorf("path: spec.rules[%d].exclude.all[%d].kinds: %v", i, j, err)
+				}
+			}
+			if err := validateKinds(exclude.Kinds, rule, mock, background, client); err != nil {
+				return warnings, fmt.Errorf("path: spec.rules[%d].exclude.kinds: %v", i, err)
+			}
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -377,12 +376,13 @@ func Validate(policy, oldPolicy kyvernov1.PolicyInterface, client dclient.Interf
 		}
 
 		match := rule.MatchResources
-		exclude := rule.ExcludeResources
 		matchKinds := match.GetKinds()
-		excludeKinds := exclude.GetKinds()
-		allKinds := make([]string, 0, len(matchKinds)+len(excludeKinds))
+		var allKinds []string
 		allKinds = append(allKinds, matchKinds...)
-		allKinds = append(allKinds, excludeKinds...)
+		if exclude := rule.ExcludeResources; exclude != nil {
+			excludeKinds := exclude.GetKinds()
+			allKinds = append(allKinds, excludeKinds...)
+		}
 		if rule.HasValidate() {
 			validationElem := rule.Validation.DeepCopy()
 			if validationElem.Deny != nil {
@@ -691,17 +691,16 @@ func jsonPatchPathHasVariables(patch string) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func objectHasVariables(object interface{}) error {
-	var err error
-	objectJSON, err := json.Marshal(object)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
+func objectHasVariables(object any) error {
+	if object != nil {
+		objectJSON, err := json.Marshal(object)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if len(regexVariables.FindAllStringSubmatch(string(objectJSON), -1)) > 0 {
+			return fmt.Errorf("invalid variables")
+		}
 	}
-
-	if len(regexVariables.FindAllStringSubmatch(string(objectJSON), -1)) > 0 {
-		return fmt.Errorf("invalid variables")
-	}
-
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -963,22 +962,22 @@ func ruleOnlyDealsWithResourceMetaData(rule kyvernov1.Rule) bool {
 
 func validateResources(path *field.Path, rule kyvernov1.Rule) (string, error) {
 	// validate userInfo in match and exclude
-	if errs := rule.ExcludeResources.UserInfo.Validate(path.Child("exclude")); len(errs) != 0 {
-		return "exclude", errs.ToAggregate()
+	if exclude := rule.ExcludeResources; exclude != nil {
+		if errs := exclude.UserInfo.Validate(path.Child("exclude")); len(errs) != 0 {
+			return "exclude", errs.ToAggregate()
+		}
+		if (len(exclude.Any) > 0 || len(exclude.All) > 0) && !datautils.DeepEqual(exclude.ResourceDescription, kyvernov1.ResourceDescription{}) {
+			return "exclude.", fmt.Errorf("can't specify any/all together with exclude resources")
+		}
+		if len(exclude.Any) > 0 && len(exclude.All) > 0 {
+			return "match.", fmt.Errorf("can't specify any and all together")
+		}
 	}
 
 	if (len(rule.MatchResources.Any) > 0 || len(rule.MatchResources.All) > 0) && !datautils.DeepEqual(rule.MatchResources.ResourceDescription, kyvernov1.ResourceDescription{}) {
 		return "match.", fmt.Errorf("can't specify any/all together with match resources")
 	}
 
-	if (len(rule.ExcludeResources.Any) > 0 || len(rule.ExcludeResources.All) > 0) && !datautils.DeepEqual(rule.ExcludeResources.ResourceDescription, kyvernov1.ResourceDescription{}) {
-		return "exclude.", fmt.Errorf("can't specify any/all together with exclude resources")
-	}
-
-	if len(rule.ExcludeResources.Any) > 0 && len(rule.ExcludeResources.All) > 0 {
-		return "match.", fmt.Errorf("can't specify any and all together")
-	}
-
 	if len(rule.MatchResources.Any) > 0 {
 		for _, rmr := range rule.MatchResources.Any {
 			// matched resources