diff --git a/hack/make-rules/test-cmd-util.sh b/hack/make-rules/test-cmd-util.sh
index 3293e99d0c..3124da38aa 100644
--- a/hack/make-rules/test-cmd-util.sh
+++ b/hack/make-rules/test-cmd-util.sh
@@ -3354,6 +3354,17 @@ runTests() {
   ## test if a short name is exported during discovery
   kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" '{"name":"configmaps","singularName":"","namespaced":true,"kind":"ConfigMap","verbs":\["create","delete","deletecollection","get","list","patch","update","watch"\],"shortNames":\["cm"\]}'
 
+  #########################
+  # Assert categories     #
+  #########################
+
+  ## test if a category is exported during discovery
+  if kube::test::if_supports_resource "${pods}" ; then
+    kube::log::status "Testing propagation of categories for resources"
+    output_message=$(kubectl get --raw=/api/v1 | grep -Po '"name":"pods".*?}')
+    kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" '"categories":\["all"\]'
+  fi
+
   ###########################
   # POD creation / deletion #
   ###########################
diff --git a/pkg/registry/apps/statefulset/storage/storage.go b/pkg/registry/apps/statefulset/storage/storage.go
index 8e60c9e088..fc6d417c7f 100644
--- a/pkg/registry/apps/statefulset/storage/storage.go
+++ b/pkg/registry/apps/statefulset/storage/storage.go
@@ -58,6 +58,14 @@ func NewREST(optsGetter generic.RESTOptionsGetter) (*REST, *StatusREST) {
 	return &REST{store}, &StatusREST{store: &statusStore}
 }
 
+// Implement CategoriesProvider
+var _ rest.CategoriesProvider = &REST{}
+
+// Categories implements the CategoriesProvider interface. Returns a list of categories a resource is part of.
+func (r *REST) Categories() []string {
+	return []string{"all"}
+}
+
 // StatusREST implements the REST endpoint for changing the status of an statefulSet
 type StatusREST struct {
 	store *genericregistry.Store
diff --git a/pkg/registry/apps/statefulset/storage/storage_test.go b/pkg/registry/apps/statefulset/storage/storage_test.go
index e7d5ac830f..949a208dfa 100644
--- a/pkg/registry/apps/statefulset/storage/storage_test.go
+++ b/pkg/registry/apps/statefulset/storage/storage_test.go
@@ -187,4 +187,12 @@ func TestWatch(t *testing.T) {
 	)
 }
 
+func TestCategories(t *testing.T) {
+	storage, _, server := newStorage(t)
+	defer server.Terminate(t)
+	defer storage.Store.DestroyFunc()
+	expected := []string{"all"}
+	registrytest.AssertCategories(t, storage, expected)
+}
+
 // TODO: Test generation number.
diff --git a/pkg/registry/autoscaling/horizontalpodautoscaler/storage/storage.go b/pkg/registry/autoscaling/horizontalpodautoscaler/storage/storage.go
index 7a56e2d8c7..33280d8223 100644
--- a/pkg/registry/autoscaling/horizontalpodautoscaler/storage/storage.go
+++ b/pkg/registry/autoscaling/horizontalpodautoscaler/storage/storage.go
@@ -65,7 +65,15 @@ func (r *REST) ShortNames() []string {
 	return []string{"hpa"}
 }
 
-// StatusREST implements the REST endpoint for changing the status of a daemonset
+// Implement CategoriesProvider
+var _ rest.CategoriesProvider = &REST{}
+
+// Categories implements the CategoriesProvider interface. Returns a list of categories a resource is part of.
+func (r *REST) Categories() []string {
+	return []string{"all"}
+}
+
+/// StatusREST implements the REST endpoint for changing the status of a daemonset
 type StatusREST struct {
 	store *genericregistry.Store
 }
diff --git a/pkg/registry/autoscaling/horizontalpodautoscaler/storage/storage_test.go b/pkg/registry/autoscaling/horizontalpodautoscaler/storage/storage_test.go
index a3af118378..7a19981642 100644
--- a/pkg/registry/autoscaling/horizontalpodautoscaler/storage/storage_test.go
+++ b/pkg/registry/autoscaling/horizontalpodautoscaler/storage/storage_test.go
@@ -157,4 +157,12 @@ func TestShortNames(t *testing.T) {
 	registrytest.AssertShortNames(t, storage, expected)
 }
 
+func TestCategories(t *testing.T) {
+	storage, _, server := newStorage(t)
+	defer server.Terminate(t)
+	defer storage.Store.DestroyFunc()
+	expected := []string{"all"}
+	registrytest.AssertCategories(t, storage, expected)
+}
+
 // TODO TestUpdateStatus
diff --git a/pkg/registry/batch/job/storage/storage.go b/pkg/registry/batch/job/storage/storage.go
index ca172c9c8c..912c86e482 100644
--- a/pkg/registry/batch/job/storage/storage.go
+++ b/pkg/registry/batch/job/storage/storage.go
@@ -74,6 +74,14 @@ func NewREST(optsGetter generic.RESTOptionsGetter) (*REST, *StatusREST) {
 	return &REST{store}, &StatusREST{store: &statusStore}
 }
 
+// Implement CategoriesProvider
+var _ rest.CategoriesProvider = &REST{}
+
+// Categories implements the CategoriesProvider interface. Returns a list of categories a resource is part of.
+func (r *REST) Categories() []string {
+	return []string{"all"}
+}
+
 // StatusREST implements the REST endpoint for changing the status of a resourcequota.
 type StatusREST struct {
 	store *genericregistry.Store
diff --git a/pkg/registry/batch/job/storage/storage_test.go b/pkg/registry/batch/job/storage/storage_test.go
index 2e73e8b59b..963977eb25 100644
--- a/pkg/registry/batch/job/storage/storage_test.go
+++ b/pkg/registry/batch/job/storage/storage_test.go
@@ -182,3 +182,11 @@ func newBool(val bool) *bool {
 	*p = val
 	return p
 }
+
+func TestCategories(t *testing.T) {
+	storage, server := newStorage(t)
+	defer server.Terminate(t)
+	defer storage.Job.Store.DestroyFunc()
+	expected := []string{"all"}
+	registrytest.AssertCategories(t, storage.Job, expected)
+}
diff --git a/pkg/registry/core/pod/storage/storage.go b/pkg/registry/core/pod/storage/storage.go
index 0e1a7d61be..ca58827d83 100644
--- a/pkg/registry/core/pod/storage/storage.go
+++ b/pkg/registry/core/pod/storage/storage.go
@@ -117,6 +117,14 @@ func (r *REST) ShortNames() []string {
 	return []string{"po"}
 }
 
+// Implement CategoriesProvider
+var _ rest.CategoriesProvider = &REST{}
+
+// Categories implements the CategoriesProvider interface. Returns a list of categories a resource is part of.
+func (r *REST) Categories() []string {
+	return []string{"all"}
+}
+
 // BindingREST implements the REST endpoint for binding pods to nodes when etcd is in use.
 type BindingREST struct {
 	store *genericregistry.Store
diff --git a/pkg/registry/core/pod/storage/storage_test.go b/pkg/registry/core/pod/storage/storage_test.go
index d096a1ce4b..72e9ab88aa 100644
--- a/pkg/registry/core/pod/storage/storage_test.go
+++ b/pkg/registry/core/pod/storage/storage_test.go
@@ -888,3 +888,11 @@ func TestShortNames(t *testing.T) {
 	expected := []string{"po"}
 	registrytest.AssertShortNames(t, storage, expected)
 }
+
+func TestCategories(t *testing.T) {
+	storage, _, _, server := newStorage(t)
+	defer server.Terminate(t)
+	defer storage.Store.DestroyFunc()
+	expected := []string{"all"}
+	registrytest.AssertCategories(t, storage, expected)
+}
diff --git a/pkg/registry/core/replicationcontroller/storage/storage.go b/pkg/registry/core/replicationcontroller/storage/storage.go
index 1d8417e091..54b84f4246 100644
--- a/pkg/registry/core/replicationcontroller/storage/storage.go
+++ b/pkg/registry/core/replicationcontroller/storage/storage.go
@@ -91,6 +91,14 @@ func (r *REST) ShortNames() []string {
 	return []string{"rc"}
 }
 
+// Implement CategoriesProvider
+var _ rest.CategoriesProvider = &REST{}
+
+// Categories implements the CategoriesProvider interface. Returns a list of categories a resource is part of.
+func (r *REST) Categories() []string {
+	return []string{"all"}
+}
+
 // StatusREST implements the REST endpoint for changing the status of a replication controller
 type StatusREST struct {
 	store *genericregistry.Store
diff --git a/pkg/registry/core/replicationcontroller/storage/storage_test.go b/pkg/registry/core/replicationcontroller/storage/storage_test.go
index 258676fdc4..2fb6797f18 100644
--- a/pkg/registry/core/replicationcontroller/storage/storage_test.go
+++ b/pkg/registry/core/replicationcontroller/storage/storage_test.go
@@ -335,3 +335,11 @@ func TestShortNames(t *testing.T) {
 	expected := []string{"rc"}
 	registrytest.AssertShortNames(t, storage.Controller, expected)
 }
+
+func TestCategories(t *testing.T) {
+	storage, server := newStorage(t)
+	defer server.Terminate(t)
+	defer storage.Controller.Store.DestroyFunc()
+	expected := []string{"all"}
+	registrytest.AssertCategories(t, storage.Controller, expected)
+}
diff --git a/pkg/registry/core/service/storage/storage.go b/pkg/registry/core/service/storage/storage.go
index 9b26465129..4551ba3971 100644
--- a/pkg/registry/core/service/storage/storage.go
+++ b/pkg/registry/core/service/storage/storage.go
@@ -65,6 +65,14 @@ func (r *REST) ShortNames() []string {
 	return []string{"svc"}
 }
 
+// Implement CategoriesProvider
+var _ rest.CategoriesProvider = &REST{}
+
+// Categories implements the CategoriesProvider interface. Returns a list of categories a resource is part of.
+func (r *REST) Categories() []string {
+	return []string{"all"}
+}
+
 // StatusREST implements the REST endpoint for changing the status of a service.
 type StatusREST struct {
 	store *genericregistry.Store
diff --git a/pkg/registry/core/service/storage/storage_test.go b/pkg/registry/core/service/storage/storage_test.go
index 903eeda98e..9e2fab55e8 100644
--- a/pkg/registry/core/service/storage/storage_test.go
+++ b/pkg/registry/core/service/storage/storage_test.go
@@ -175,3 +175,11 @@ func TestShortNames(t *testing.T) {
 	expected := []string{"svc"}
 	registrytest.AssertShortNames(t, storage, expected)
 }
+
+func TestCategories(t *testing.T) {
+	storage, _, server := newStorage(t)
+	defer server.Terminate(t)
+	defer storage.Store.DestroyFunc()
+	expected := []string{"all"}
+	registrytest.AssertCategories(t, storage, expected)
+}
diff --git a/pkg/registry/extensions/deployment/storage/storage.go b/pkg/registry/extensions/deployment/storage/storage.go
index 701ccf1494..55fa90b6cb 100644
--- a/pkg/registry/extensions/deployment/storage/storage.go
+++ b/pkg/registry/extensions/deployment/storage/storage.go
@@ -92,6 +92,14 @@ func (r *REST) ShortNames() []string {
 	return []string{"deploy"}
 }
 
+// Implement CategoriesProvider
+var _ rest.CategoriesProvider = &REST{}
+
+// Categories implements the CategoriesProvider interface. Returns a list of categories a resource is part of.
+func (r *REST) Categories() []string {
+	return []string{"all"}
+}
+
 // StatusREST implements the REST endpoint for changing the status of a deployment
 type StatusREST struct {
 	store *genericregistry.Store
diff --git a/pkg/registry/extensions/deployment/storage/storage_test.go b/pkg/registry/extensions/deployment/storage/storage_test.go
index b3c14f69f5..07c84d58c2 100644
--- a/pkg/registry/extensions/deployment/storage/storage_test.go
+++ b/pkg/registry/extensions/deployment/storage/storage_test.go
@@ -396,3 +396,11 @@ func TestShortNames(t *testing.T) {
 	expected := []string{"deploy"}
 	registrytest.AssertShortNames(t, storage.Deployment, expected)
 }
+
+func TestCategories(t *testing.T) {
+	storage, server := newStorage(t)
+	defer server.Terminate(t)
+	defer storage.Deployment.Store.DestroyFunc()
+	expected := []string{"all"}
+	registrytest.AssertCategories(t, storage.Deployment, expected)
+}
diff --git a/pkg/registry/extensions/replicaset/storage/storage.go b/pkg/registry/extensions/replicaset/storage/storage.go
index a936fffca2..78e0ecc656 100644
--- a/pkg/registry/extensions/replicaset/storage/storage.go
+++ b/pkg/registry/extensions/replicaset/storage/storage.go
@@ -90,6 +90,14 @@ func (r *REST) ShortNames() []string {
 	return []string{"rs"}
 }
 
+// Implement CategoriesProvider
+var _ rest.CategoriesProvider = &REST{}
+
+// Categories implements the CategoriesProvider interface. Returns a list of categories a resource is part of.
+func (r *REST) Categories() []string {
+	return []string{"all"}
+}
+
 // StatusREST implements the REST endpoint for changing the status of a ReplicaSet
 type StatusREST struct {
 	store *genericregistry.Store
diff --git a/pkg/registry/extensions/replicaset/storage/storage_test.go b/pkg/registry/extensions/replicaset/storage/storage_test.go
index fc89666d5a..ff2d8a50c6 100644
--- a/pkg/registry/extensions/replicaset/storage/storage_test.go
+++ b/pkg/registry/extensions/replicaset/storage/storage_test.go
@@ -376,3 +376,11 @@ func TestShortNames(t *testing.T) {
 	expected := []string{"rs"}
 	registrytest.AssertShortNames(t, storage.ReplicaSet, expected)
 }
+
+func TestCategories(t *testing.T) {
+	storage, server := newStorage(t)
+	defer server.Terminate(t)
+	defer storage.ReplicaSet.Store.DestroyFunc()
+	expected := []string{"all"}
+	registrytest.AssertCategories(t, storage.ReplicaSet, expected)
+}
diff --git a/pkg/registry/registrytest/BUILD b/pkg/registry/registrytest/BUILD
index 9716908440..b7c88e5770 100644
--- a/pkg/registry/registrytest/BUILD
+++ b/pkg/registry/registrytest/BUILD
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ go_library(
         "doc.go",
         "endpoint.go",
         "etcd.go",
+        "groupNamesProvider.go",
         "node.go",
         "service.go",
         "shortNamesProvider.go",
diff --git a/pkg/registry/registrytest/categoriesProvider.go b/pkg/registry/registrytest/categoriesProvider.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7bec6359b7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/registry/registrytest/categoriesProvider.go
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+/*
+Copyright 2017 The Kubernetes Authors.
+
+Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+You may obtain a copy of the License at
+
+    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+
+Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+limitations under the License.
+*/
+
+package registrytest
+
+import (
+	"reflect"
+	"testing"
+
+	"k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/registry/rest"
+)
+
+func AssertCategories(t *testing.T, storage rest.CategoriesProvider, expected []string) {
+	actual := storage.Categories()
+	ok := reflect.DeepEqual(actual, expected)
+	if !ok {
+		t.Errorf("categories are not equal. expected = %v actual = %v", expected, actual)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/installer.go b/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/installer.go
index eef3b64c62..5a39a6ae1c 100644
--- a/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/installer.go
+++ b/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/installer.go
@@ -379,6 +379,12 @@ func (a *APIInstaller) registerResourceHandlers(path string, storage rest.Storag
 		tableProvider = rest.DefaultTableConvertor
 	}
 
+	var categories []string
+	categoriesProvider, ok := storage.(rest.CategoriesProvider)
+	if ok {
+		categories = categoriesProvider.Categories()
+	}
+
 	var apiResource metav1.APIResource
 	// Get the list of actions for the given scope.
 	switch scope.Name() {
@@ -825,6 +831,7 @@ func (a *APIInstaller) registerResourceHandlers(path string, storage rest.Storag
 	}
 	sort.Strings(apiResource.Verbs)
 	apiResource.ShortNames = shortNames
+	apiResource.Categories = categories
 
 	return &apiResource, nil
 }
diff --git a/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/registry/rest/rest.go b/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/registry/rest/rest.go
index 4421ffcac3..07871c5bb3 100644
--- a/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/registry/rest/rest.go
+++ b/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/registry/rest/rest.go
@@ -71,6 +71,12 @@ type ShortNamesProvider interface {
 	ShortNames() []string
 }
 
+// CategoriesProvider allows a resource to specify which groups of resources (categories) it's part of. Categories can
+// be used by API clients to refer to a batch of resources by using a single name (e.g. "all" could translate to "pod,rc,svc,...").
+type CategoriesProvider interface {
+	Categories() []string
+}
+
 // Lister is an object that can retrieve resources that match the provided field and label criteria.
 type Lister interface {
 	// NewList returns an empty object that can be used with the List call.