diff --git a/doc/contrib/release.rst b/doc/contrib/release.rst
index c457c6560..8647fa5ec 100644
--- a/doc/contrib/release.rst
+++ b/doc/contrib/release.rst
@@ -17,14 +17,18 @@ Making a Release
 -----------------
 
 1. Create an issue for the release, noting the estimated date and expected features or major fixes, pin that issue.
-2. Bump release version.
+2. Create a release branch if this is a major release. Bump release version.
 
    1. Modify ``CMakeLists.txt`` in source tree and ``cmake/Python_version.in`` if needed, run CMake.
 
-   2. Modify ``DESCRIPTION`` in R-package.
+      If this is a RC release, the Python version has the form <major>.<minor>.<patch>rc1
+
+   2. Modify ``DESCRIPTION`` and ``configure.ac`` in R-package. Run ``autoreconf``.
 
    3. Run ``change_version.sh`` in ``jvm-packages/dev``
 
+      If this is a RC release, the version for JVM packages has the form <major>.<minor>.<patch>-RC1
+
 3. Commit the change, create a PR on GitHub on release branch.  Port the bumped version to default branch, optionally with the postfix ``SNAPSHOT``.
 4. Create a tag on release branch, either on GitHub or locally.
 5. Make a release on GitHub tag page, which might be done with previous step if the tag is created on GitHub.