diff --git a/modules/issue/template/template.go b/modules/issue/template/template.go
index 3be48b9edc0..cf5fcf28e5d 100644
--- a/modules/issue/template/template.go
+++ b/modules/issue/template/template.go
@@ -91,6 +91,9 @@ func validateYaml(template *api.IssueTemplate) error {
 			if err := validateOptions(field, idx); err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
+			if err := validateDropdownDefault(position, field.Attributes); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
 		case api.IssueFormFieldTypeCheckboxes:
 			if err := validateStringItem(position, field.Attributes, false, "description"); err != nil {
 				return err
@@ -249,6 +252,28 @@ func validateBoolItem(position errorPosition, m map[string]any, names ...string)
 	return nil
 }
 
+func validateDropdownDefault(position errorPosition, attributes map[string]any) error {
+	v, ok := attributes["default"]
+	if !ok {
+		return nil
+	}
+	defaultValue, ok := v.(int)
+	if !ok {
+		return position.Errorf("'default' should be an int")
+	}
+
+	options, ok := attributes["options"].([]any)
+	if !ok {
+		// should not happen
+		return position.Errorf("'options' is required and should be a array")
+	}
+	if defaultValue < 0 || defaultValue >= len(options) {
+		return position.Errorf("the value of 'default' is out of range")
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
 type errorPosition string
 
 func (p errorPosition) Errorf(format string, a ...any) error {
diff --git a/modules/issue/template/template_test.go b/modules/issue/template/template_test.go
index e24b962d61b..481058754d0 100644
--- a/modules/issue/template/template_test.go
+++ b/modules/issue/template/template_test.go
@@ -355,6 +355,96 @@ body:
 `,
 			wantErr: "body[0](checkboxes), option[1]: can not require a hidden checkbox",
 		},
+		{
+			name: "dropdown default is not an integer",
+			content: `
+name: "test"
+about: "this is about"
+body:
+  - type: dropdown
+    id: "1"
+    attributes:
+      label: Label of dropdown
+      description: Description of dropdown
+      multiple: true
+      options:
+        - Option 1 of dropdown
+        - Option 2 of dropdown
+        - Option 3 of dropdown
+      default: "def"
+    validations:
+      required: true
+`,
+			wantErr: "body[0](dropdown): 'default' should be an int",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "dropdown default is out of range",
+			content: `
+name: "test"
+about: "this is about"
+body:
+  - type: dropdown
+    id: "1"
+    attributes:
+      label: Label of dropdown
+      description: Description of dropdown
+      multiple: true
+      options:
+        - Option 1 of dropdown
+        - Option 2 of dropdown
+        - Option 3 of dropdown
+      default: 3
+    validations:
+      required: true
+`,
+			wantErr: "body[0](dropdown): the value of 'default' is out of range",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "dropdown without default is valid",
+			content: `
+name: "test"
+about: "this is about"
+body:
+  - type: dropdown
+    id: "1"
+    attributes:
+      label: Label of dropdown
+      description: Description of dropdown
+      multiple: true
+      options:
+        - Option 1 of dropdown
+        - Option 2 of dropdown
+        - Option 3 of dropdown
+    validations:
+      required: true
+`,
+			want: &api.IssueTemplate{
+				Name:  "test",
+				About: "this is about",
+				Fields: []*api.IssueFormField{
+					{
+						Type: "dropdown",
+						ID:   "1",
+						Attributes: map[string]any{
+							"label":       "Label of dropdown",
+							"description": "Description of dropdown",
+							"multiple":    true,
+							"options": []any{
+								"Option 1 of dropdown",
+								"Option 2 of dropdown",
+								"Option 3 of dropdown",
+							},
+						},
+						Validations: map[string]any{
+							"required": true,
+						},
+						Visible: []api.IssueFormFieldVisible{api.IssueFormFieldVisibleForm, api.IssueFormFieldVisibleContent},
+					},
+				},
+				FileName: "test.yaml",
+			},
+			wantErr: "",
+		},
 		{
 			name: "valid",
 			content: `
@@ -399,6 +489,7 @@ body:
         - Option 1 of dropdown
         - Option 2 of dropdown
         - Option 3 of dropdown
+      default: 1
     validations:
       required: true
   - type: checkboxes
@@ -475,6 +566,7 @@ body:
 								"Option 2 of dropdown",
 								"Option 3 of dropdown",
 							},
+							"default": 1,
 						},
 						Validations: map[string]any{
 							"required": true,
diff --git a/templates/repo/issue/fields/dropdown.tmpl b/templates/repo/issue/fields/dropdown.tmpl
index f4fa79738c9..26505f58a52 100644
--- a/templates/repo/issue/fields/dropdown.tmpl
+++ b/templates/repo/issue/fields/dropdown.tmpl
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 	{{template "repo/issue/fields/header" .}}
 	{{/* FIXME: required validation */}}
 	<div class="ui fluid selection dropdown {{if .item.Attributes.multiple}}multiple clearable{{end}}">
-		<input type="hidden" name="form-field-{{.item.ID}}" value="0">
+		<input type="hidden" name="form-field-{{.item.ID}}" value="{{.item.Attributes.default}}">
 		{{svg "octicon-triangle-down" 14 "dropdown icon"}}
 		{{if not .item.Validations.required}}
 		{{svg "octicon-x" 14 "remove icon"}}