diff --git a/.github/pull_request_template.md b/.github/pull_request_template.md
index 9bc3b0a4f..0650969a4 100644
--- a/.github/pull_request_template.md
+++ b/.github/pull_request_template.md
@@ -1,40 +1,28 @@
-Notes:
-* Pull requests cannot be accepted until the PR follows the [contributing guidelines](../CONTRIBUTING.md). In particular, each commit must have at least one `Signed-off-by:` line from the committer to certify that the contribution is made under the terms of the [Developer Certificate of Origin](../dco.txt).
-* This is just a template, so feel free to use/remove the unnecessary things
 ## Description
-A few sentences describing the overall goals of the pull request's commits.
+
+Please write a few sentences describing the overall goals of the pull request's commits.
 
 
-## Status
-**READY/IN DEVELOPMENT/HOLD**
 
-## Requires Backporting
+## Gatekeeper checklist
+
+- [ ] **changelog** provided, or not required
+- [ ] **backport** done, or not required
+- [ ] **tests** provided, or not required
+
+
+
+## Notes for the submitter
+
+Pull requests cannot be accepted until the PR follows the [contributing guidelines](../CONTRIBUTING.md). In particular, each commit must have at least one `Signed-off-by:` line from the committer to certify that the contribution is made under the terms of the [Developer Certificate of Origin](../dco.txt).
+
+#### Backporting
+
 When there is a bug fix, it should be backported to all maintained and supported branches.
 Changes do not have to be backported if:
-- This PR is a new feature\enhancement
+
+- This PR is a new feature / enhancement
 - This PR contains changes in the API. If this is true, and there is a need for the fix to be backported, the fix should be handled differently in the legacy branch
 
-Yes | NO  
-Which branch?
+It is fine to defer providing a backport until the main PR is approved.
 
-## Requires ChangeLog entry
-
-YES | NO - if no, why not?
-
-## Migrations
-If there is any API change, what's the incentive and logic for it.
-
-YES | NO
-
-## Additional comments
-Any additional information that could be of interest
-
-## Todos
-- [ ] Tests
-- [ ] Documentation
-- [ ] Changelog updated
-- [ ] Backported
-
-
-## Steps to test or reproduce
-Outline the steps to test or reproduce the PR here.