diff --git a/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/api/DepositApiClient.js b/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/api/DepositApiClient.js
index de71caddf..6f11cd956 100644
--- a/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/api/DepositApiClient.js
+++ b/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/api/DepositApiClient.js
@@ -335,6 +335,10 @@ export class DepositFileApiClient {
     throw new Error("Not implemented.");
   }
 
+  updateFileMetadata(updateUrl, fileMeta) {
+    throw new Error("Not implemented.");
+  }
+
   deleteFile(fileLinks) {
     throw new Error("Not implemented.");
   }
@@ -385,6 +389,12 @@ export class RDMDepositFileApiClient extends DepositFileApiClient {
     return this.axiosWithConfig.post(finalizeUploadUrl, {});
   }
 
+  updateFileMetadata(updateUrl, fileMeta) {
+    return this.axiosWithConfig.put(updateUrl, fileMeta, {
+      headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
+    });
+  }
+
   importParentRecordFiles(draftLinks) {
     const link = `${draftLinks.self}/actions/files-import`;
     return this.axiosWithConfig.post(link, {});
diff --git a/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/api/DepositFilesService.js b/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/api/DepositFilesService.js
index 738f723c5..95eba201a 100644
--- a/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/api/DepositFilesService.js
+++ b/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/api/DepositFilesService.js
@@ -102,6 +102,10 @@ export class DepositFilesService {
     throw new Error("Not implemented.");
   }
 
+  async updateFileMetadata(updateUrl, fileMeta) {
+    throw new Error("Not implemented.");
+  }
+
   async delete(fileLinks) {
     throw new Error("Not implemented.");
   }
@@ -225,6 +229,10 @@ export class RDMDepositFilesService extends DepositFilesService {
     return (await this.fileApiClient.finalizeFileUpload(commitFileURL)).data;
   };
 
+  updateFileMetadata = async (updateUrl, fileMeta) => {
+    return (await this.fileApiClient.updateFileMetadata(updateUrl, fileMeta)).data;
+  }
+
   importParentRecordFiles = async (draftLinks) => {
     const response = await this.fileApiClient.importParentRecordFiles(draftLinks);
 
diff --git a/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/api/DepositFilesService.test.js b/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/api/DepositFilesService.test.js
index 3d17597ff..4fb123506 100644
--- a/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/api/DepositFilesService.test.js
+++ b/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/api/DepositFilesService.test.js
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ let fakeApiIsCancelled;
 let fakeApiInitializeFileUpload;
 let fakeApiUploadFile;
 let fakeApiFinalizeFileUpload;
+let fakeApiUpdateFileMetadata;
 let fakeApiDeleteFile;
 class FakeFileApiClient extends DepositFileApiClient {
   isCancelled(error) {
@@ -31,6 +32,10 @@ class FakeFileApiClient extends DepositFileApiClient {
     return fakeApiFinalizeFileUpload(finalizeUploadUrl);
   }
 
+  updateFileMetadata(updateUrl, fileMeta) {
+    return fakeApiUpdateFileMetadata(updateUrl, fileMeta);
+  }
+
   deleteFile(fileLinks) {
     return fakeApiDeleteFile(fileLinks);
   }
@@ -75,6 +80,7 @@ beforeEach(() => {
     progressFn(20);
   });
   fakeApiFinalizeFileUpload = jest.fn();
+  fakeApiUpdateFileMetadata = jest.fn();
   fakeApiDeleteFile = jest.fn();
 
   fakeOnUploadAdded = jest.fn();
@@ -211,6 +217,14 @@ describe("DepositFilesService tests", () => {
       expect(fakeOnUploadCompleted).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
       expect(fakeOnUploadFailed).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     });
+
+    it("it should call updateFileMetadata without errors", async () => {
+      fakeApiUpdateFileMetadata.mockReturnValueOnce({ data: { message: "ok" } });
+      const updateUrl = "updateUrl";
+      const fileMeta = { id: "file1", links: {}, metadata: { description: "123" } };
+      await filesService.updateFileMetadata(updateUrl, fileMeta);
+      expect(fakeApiUpdateFileMetadata).toHaveBeenCalledWith(updateUrl, fileMeta);
+    });
   });
 
   describe("Concurrent uploads tests", () => {
diff --git a/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/fields/FileUploader/utils.js b/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/fields/FileUploader/utils.js
index ed3ca2a91..56f24090d 100644
--- a/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/fields/FileUploader/utils.js
+++ b/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/fields/FileUploader/utils.js
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ export const getFilesList = (filesState) => {
       name: fileState.name,
       size: fileState.size,
       checksum: fileState.checksum,
+      metadata: fileState.metadata,
       links: fileState.links,
       uploadState: {
         // initial: fileState.status === UploadState.initial,
diff --git a/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/fields/UppyUploader/RDMUppyUploaderPlugin.js b/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/fields/UppyUploader/RDMUppyUploaderPlugin.js
index 941a3b470..7e10a82ce 100644
--- a/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/fields/UppyUploader/RDMUppyUploaderPlugin.js
+++ b/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/fields/UppyUploader/RDMUppyUploaderPlugin.js
@@ -219,6 +219,7 @@ export class RDMUppyUploaderPlugin extends AwsS3Multipart {
     try {
       const response = await this.opts.initializeFileUpload(this.draftRecord, file);
       this.uppy.setFileMeta(file.id, {
+        ...file.meta,
         file_id: response.file_id,
         links: response.links,
       });
@@ -322,6 +323,7 @@ export class RDMUppyUploaderPlugin extends AwsS3Multipart {
 
     // Map any links to Uppy file state for further use (e.g. to fetch signed part URLs)
     this.uppy.setFileMeta(file.id, {
+      ...file.meta,
       file_id: response.file_id,
       links: response.links,
     });
@@ -367,6 +369,7 @@ export class RDMUppyUploaderPlugin extends AwsS3Multipart {
 
       file.meta.links = response.links;
       this.uppy.setFileMeta(file.id, {
+        ...file.meta,
         links: response.links,
       });
 
@@ -395,6 +398,9 @@ export class RDMUppyUploaderPlugin extends AwsS3Multipart {
    *  - The default implementation calls out to Companion’s S3 signing endpoints.
    */
   async completeMultipartUpload(file) {
+    if (file.meta?.metadata && Object.keys(file.meta.metadata).length > 0 && this.opts.updateFileMetadata) {
+      await this.opts.updateFileMetadata(this.draftRecord, file);
+    }
     const response = await this.opts.finalizeUpload(file);
     return response.links.content;
   }
diff --git a/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/fields/UppyUploader/UppyUploader.js b/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/fields/UppyUploader/UppyUploader.js
index 0cdd65c02..d0c86bbaf 100644
--- a/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/fields/UppyUploader/UppyUploader.js
+++ b/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/fields/UppyUploader/UppyUploader.js
@@ -21,6 +21,15 @@ import { UploadState } from "../../state/reducers/files";
 import { i18next } from "@translations/invenio_rdm_records/i18next";
 import { getFilesList, FilesListTable, FileUploaderToolbar } from "../FileUploader";
 import { useUppyLocale } from "./locale";
+import {
+  defaultAllowedMetaFields,
+  getMetaFieldsRenderers,
+  onBeforeUploadProcessMetaFields,
+} from "./metaFields";
+import {
+  UPPY_EVENTS,
+  getUppyDashboardEventsProps,
+} from "./events";
 
 const defaultDashboardProps = {
   showRemoveButtonAfterComplete: false,
@@ -79,6 +88,7 @@ export const UppyUploaderComponent = ({
   permissions,
   record,
   initializeFileUpload,
+  updateFileMetadata,
   finalizeUpload,
   deleteFile,
   uploadPart,
@@ -92,6 +102,8 @@ export const UppyUploaderComponent = ({
   decimalSizeDisplay,
   filesLocked,
   allowEmptyFiles,
+  allowedMetaFields,
+  startEvent,
   ...uiProps
 }) => {
   // We extract the working copy of the draft stored as `values` in formik
@@ -99,6 +111,7 @@ export const UppyUploaderComponent = ({
   const { filesList } = getFilesList(files ?? {});
   const hasError = (errors.files || initialErrors?.files) && files;
   const locale = useUppyLocale();
+  const activeAllowedMetaFields = config?.allowedMetaFields || allowedMetaFields || defaultAllowedMetaFields;
   const filesEnabled = _get(formikDraft, "files.enabled", false);
   const filesSize = filesList.reduce((totalSize, file) => (totalSize += file.size), 0);
   const lockFileUploader = !isDraftRecord && filesLocked;
@@ -147,6 +160,7 @@ export const UppyUploaderComponent = ({
         quota,
         // Bind Redux file actions to the uploader plugin
         initializeFileUpload,
+        updateFileMetadata,
         finalizeUpload,
         saveAndFetchDraft,
         setUploadProgress,
@@ -169,6 +183,16 @@ export const UppyUploaderComponent = ({
     uppy.setOptions({ onBeforeFileAdded });
   }, [uppy, filesList]);
 
+  React.useEffect(() => {
+    uppy.setOptions({
+      onBeforeUpload: (uppyFiles) => {
+        return activeAllowedMetaFields && activeAllowedMetaFields.length > 0 
+          ? onBeforeUploadProcessMetaFields(uppyFiles, files, activeAllowedMetaFields)
+          : uppyFiles;
+      }
+    });
+  }, [uppy, activeAllowedMetaFields]);
+
   React.useEffect(() => {
     const uploaderPlugin = uppy.getPlugin("RDMUppyUploaderPlugin");
     if (uploaderPlugin) {
@@ -304,10 +328,10 @@ export const UppyUploaderComponent = ({
                     disabled={!filesLeft || lockFileUploader}
                     // `null` means "do not display a Done button in a status bar"
                     doneButtonHandler={null}
-                    note={i18next.t(
-                      "File addition, removal or modification are not allowed after you have published your upload."
-                    )}
+                    note={i18next.t("File addition, removal or modification are not allowed after you have published your upload.")}
+                    metaFields={activeAllowedMetaFields && activeAllowedMetaFields.length > 0 ? getMetaFieldsRenderers(activeAllowedMetaFields) : undefined}
                     {...defaultDashboardProps}
+                    {...(startEvent && getUppyDashboardEventsProps(startEvent))}
                     {...uiProps}
                   />
                 )}
@@ -379,6 +403,7 @@ UppyUploaderComponent.propTypes = {
   isFileImportInProgress: PropTypes.bool,
   importParentFiles: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
   initializeFileUpload: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
+  updateFileMetadata: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
   finalizeUpload: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
   uploadPart: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
   setUploadProgress: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
@@ -388,6 +413,20 @@ UppyUploaderComponent.propTypes = {
   filesLocked: PropTypes.bool,
   permissions: PropTypes.object,
   allowEmptyFiles: PropTypes.bool,
+  allowedMetaFields: PropTypes.arrayOf(
+    PropTypes.shape({
+      id: PropTypes.string.isRequired,
+      defaultValue: PropTypes.any,
+      name: PropTypes.string,
+      placeholder: PropTypes.string,
+      render: PropTypes.func,
+      condition: PropTypes.func,
+    })
+  ),
+  startEvent: PropTypes.shape({
+    event: PropTypes.oneOf(Object.values(UPPY_EVENTS)).isRequired,
+    payload: PropTypes.object,
+  }),
 };
 
 UppyUploaderComponent.defaultProps = {
@@ -408,4 +447,6 @@ UppyUploaderComponent.defaultProps = {
   decimalSizeDisplay: true,
   filesLocked: false,
   allowEmptyFiles: true,
+  allowedMetaFields: undefined,
+  startEvent: undefined,
 };
diff --git a/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/fields/UppyUploader/events.js b/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/fields/UppyUploader/events.js
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c43bea155
--- /dev/null
+++ b/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/fields/UppyUploader/events.js
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+// This file is part of Invenio-RDM-Records
+// Copyright (C) 2020-2025 CERN.
+// Copyright (C)      2025 CESNET.
+//
+// Invenio-RDM-Records is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+// under the terms of the MIT License; see LICENSE file for more details.
+
+/**
+ * Enumeration of possible supported Uppy dashboard events.
+ * @constant {Object}
+ * @property {string} UPLOAD_FILE_WITHOUT_EDIT - Event triggered for auto-uploading without explicit editing user interaction.
+ */
+export const UPPY_EVENTS = {
+  UPLOAD_FILE_WITHOUT_EDIT: "upload-file-without-edit",
+};
+
+/**
+ * Computes conditional UI properties for the Uppy Dashboard based on the active event state.
+ *
+ * @param {Object} startEvent - The currently active event, if any (e.g. { event: UPPY_EVENTS.EDIT_FILE }).
+ * @returns {Object} A dictionary of props specifically mapped to the `<Dashboard />` component dynamically.
+ */
+export const getUppyDashboardEventsProps = (startEvent) => {
+  return {
+    showSelectedFiles: startEvent.event === UPPY_EVENTS.UPLOAD_FILE_WITHOUT_EDIT ? false : true,
+  };
+};
diff --git a/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/fields/UppyUploader/index.js b/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/fields/UppyUploader/index.js
index d19ab6201..f25f30d1b 100644
--- a/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/fields/UppyUploader/index.js
+++ b/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/fields/UppyUploader/index.js
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import {
   deleteFile,
   importParentFiles,
   initializeFileUpload,
+  updateFileMetadata,
   uploadPart,
   finalizeUpload,
   saveAndFetchDraft,
@@ -34,6 +35,7 @@ const mapStateToProps = (state) => {
 
 const mapDispatchToProps = (dispatch) => ({
   initializeFileUpload: (draft, file) => dispatch(initializeFileUpload(draft, file)),
+  updateFileMetadata: (draft, serverFile, file) => dispatch(updateFileMetadata(draft, serverFile, file)),
   finalizeUpload: (file) => dispatch(finalizeUpload(file.meta.links.commit, file)),
   importParentFiles: () => dispatch(importParentFiles()),
   setUploadProgress: (file, percent) => dispatch(setUploadProgress(file, percent)),
@@ -46,3 +48,6 @@ export const UppyUploader = connect(
   mapStateToProps,
   mapDispatchToProps
 )(UppyUploaderComponent);
+
+export { UPPY_EVENTS } from "./events";
+export { defaultAllowedMetaFields } from "./metaFields";
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/fields/UppyUploader/metaFields.js b/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/fields/UppyUploader/metaFields.js
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ec038b207
--- /dev/null
+++ b/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/fields/UppyUploader/metaFields.js
@@ -0,0 +1,149 @@
+// This file is part of Invenio-RDM-Records
+// Copyright (C) 2020-2025 CERN.
+// Copyright (C)      2025 CESNET.
+//
+// Invenio-RDM-Records is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+// under the terms of the MIT License; see LICENSE file for more details.
+
+/**
+ * Default allowed metadata fields configuration.
+ * @example
+ * [
+ *   { 
+ *     id: "caption", 
+ *     defaultValue: "", 
+ *     name: i18next.t("Caption"),
+ *     placeholder: i18next.t("Set the Caption here"),
+ *     condition: (file) => file.type && file.type.startsWith("image/") 
+ *   },
+ *   { 
+ *     id: "featured", 
+ *     defaultValue: false, 
+ *     name: i18next.t("Feature Image"),
+ *     render: ({ value, onChange, required, form }, h) => {
+ *       return h("input", {
+ *         type: "checkbox",
+ *         onChange: (ev) => onChange(ev.target.checked),
+ *         checked: value,
+ *         defaultChecked: value,
+ *         required,
+ *         form,
+ *       });
+ *     },
+ *     condition: (file) => file.type && file.type.startsWith("image/") 
+ *   },
+ *   { 
+ *     id: "fileNote", 
+ *     defaultValue: "", 
+ *     name: i18next.t("File Note"),
+ *     placeholder: i18next.t("Set the file Note here"),
+ *   },
+ *   { 
+ *     id: "fileType", 
+ *     defaultValue: (file) => {
+ *       if (file.type) {
+ *         if (file.type.startsWith("image/")) return "image";
+ *       }
+ *       return "other";
+ *     },
+ *   },
+ * ]
+ * 
+ * @type {Object[]} metaFields - Array of metadata field configuration objects. Each object defines how a specific metadata field should be handled and rendered in the Uppy Dashboard.
+ * @property {string} metaFields[].id - The unique identifier of the metadata field. Used as the key in the file.meta.metadata dictionary.
+ * @property {any|function(Object): any} [metaFields[].defaultValue] - Default value or a function resolving a default value based on the file object.
+ * @property {string} [metaFields[].name] - Optional display name of the field. If provided, it will be used to render a standard input field, otherwise it won't be editable in UI.
+ * @property {string} [metaFields[].placeholder] - Optional placeholder text for the input UI.
+ * @property {function(Object, Function): Object} [metaFields[].render] - Optional custom render function for advanced UI rendering of the field using Preact `h` function. If not provided, a standard text input will be rendered when `name` is set. See {@link https://uppy.io/docs/dashboard/#metafields|Uppy Dashboard metaFields documentation}.
+ * @property {function(Object): Boolean} [metaFields[].condition] - Optional function to conditionally attach or render the field based on the respective file properties (e.g. file.type).
+ */
+export const defaultAllowedMetaFields = [
+  // { 
+  //   id: "description",
+  //   defaultValue: "",
+  //   name: i18next.t("Description"),
+  //   placeholder: i18next.t("Set the file description here"),
+  // },
+];
+
+/**
+ * Higher-order function that generates a metaFields configuration function for Uppy Dashboard.
+ * Evaluates custom fields passed in `allowedMetaFields` to render them.
+ * 
+ * @param {Array<Object>} allowedMetaFields - Configuration for allowed meta fields. 
+ * Expected shape: `{ id, defaultValue, name?, placeholder?, render?, condition? }`.
+ * Users can provide custom UI fields by explicitly setting `name` and/or `render` attributes.
+ * `defaultValue` can either be a static mapped value, or a dynamic function `(file) => any`.
+ * 
+ * @returns {Function} Function `(file) => Array<Object>` required by Uppy Dashboard `metaFields` prop.
+ */
+export const getMetaFieldsRenderers = (allowedMetaFields) => {
+  return (file) => {
+    const fields = [];
+    (allowedMetaFields || []).forEach((field) => {
+      // Evaluate if field has rendering properties (name, render).
+      if (field.name || field.render) {
+        const shouldRender = typeof field.condition === "function" ? field.condition(file) : true;
+        if (shouldRender) {
+          fields.push({
+            id: field.id,
+            name: field.name,
+            placeholder: field.placeholder || "",
+            // Render is optional, if missing Uppy falls back to standard text input
+            ...(field.render && { render: field.render }),
+          });
+        }
+      }
+    });
+
+    return fields;
+  };
+};
+
+/**
+ * Extends file metadata prior to upload with configured default values.
+ * This ensures that required parameters are not lost and metadata is 
+ * consistently structured before uploading.
+ *
+ * @param {Object} uppyFiles - The Uppy files object dictionary.
+ * @param {Object} invenioFiles - The files object from Invenio.
+ * @param {Array<Object>} allowedMetaFields - Configuration for metadata fields.
+ * @returns {Object} Updated files dictionary.
+ */
+export const onBeforeUploadProcessMetaFields = (uppyFiles, invenioFiles, allowedMetaFields) => {
+  const updatedFiles = {};
+  
+  Object.keys(uppyFiles).forEach((fileID) => {
+    const uppyFile = uppyFiles[fileID];
+    const invenioFile = invenioFiles[uppyFile.meta?.file_id ?? uppyFile.id] || {};
+    uppyFile.meta["metadata"] = uppyFile.meta?.metadata || invenioFile?.metadata || {};
+    const metadataDefaults = {};
+
+    (allowedMetaFields || []).forEach((field) => {
+      // Determine if this field should apply defaults to this file
+      const isApplicable = typeof field.condition === "function" ? field.condition(uppyFile) : true;
+
+      if (isApplicable) {
+        if (uppyFile.meta.metadata?.[field.id] === undefined && uppyFile.meta?.[field.id] === undefined) {
+          const value = typeof field.defaultValue === "function" ? field.defaultValue(uppyFile) : field?.defaultValue;
+          metadataDefaults[field.id] = value;
+          return;
+        }
+        metadataDefaults[field.id] = uppyFile.meta.metadata?.[field.id] || uppyFile.meta?.[field.id];
+      }
+    });
+
+    updatedFiles[fileID] = {
+      ...uppyFile,
+      meta: {
+        ...uppyFile.meta,
+        metadata: {
+          ...uppyFile.meta.metadata,
+          ...metadataDefaults,
+        }
+      }
+    };
+  });
+  
+  return updatedFiles;
+};
diff --git a/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/state/actions/files.js b/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/state/actions/files.js
index ee83aca47..e572bf3fd 100644
--- a/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/state/actions/files.js
+++ b/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/state/actions/files.js
@@ -96,6 +96,24 @@ export const initializeFileUpload = (draft, file) => {
   };
 };
 
+export const updateFileMetadata = (draft, file) => {
+  return async (dispatch, _, config) => {
+    try {
+      const updateUrl = file.meta.links.self;
+      const newFileMetadata = {
+        metadata: file.meta.metadata,
+      };
+      return await config.service.files.updateFileMetadata(updateUrl, newFileMetadata);
+    } catch (error) {
+      const axiosError = error?.t0 && error.t0.isAxiosError ? error.t0 : error;
+      console.error("Error updating file metadata", axiosError, draft, file);
+      const errorMessage =
+        axiosError?.response?.data?.message || axiosError?.message || "Metadata update failed";
+      throw new Error(errorMessage);
+    }
+  };
+};
+
 export const uploadPart = (uploadParams) => {
   return async (dispatch, _, config) => {
     return config.service.files.uploadPart(uploadParams);
diff --git a/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/store.js b/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/store.js
index 16b28c3e5..a01fba451 100644
--- a/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/store.js
+++ b/invenio_rdm_records/assets/semantic-ui/js/invenio_rdm_records/src/deposit/store.js
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ const preloadFiles = (files) => {
           name: file.key,
           size: file.size || 0,
           checksum: file.checksum || "",
+          metadata: file.metadata || {},
           links: file.links || {},
           mimetype: file.mimetype || "application/octet-stream",
           status: UploadState[file.status],