Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described that support techniques for release validation of uplink configured grants and semi-persistent scheduling (SPS). For example, downlink SPS and uplink configured grants may be released using non-fallback downlink control information (DCI). In such cases, a resource allocation field within the DCI may be based on a type of resource allocation configured for the UE, which may enable an invalid assignment to be indicated to the UE for release of the semi-statically configured communications. In other cases, the fields within the DCI may include predefined values that are used for indicating the release. A UE may validate whether the DCI activates or releases the downlink SPS or uplink configured grant based on the value of bit fields within the DCI.