diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
index 03ea959ca14e282..143449473d92687 100644
--- a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -1,30 +1,20 @@
 <!--
-Thanks for your contribution!
-Please read this comment in its entirety. It's quite important.
+Title format:    gh-NNNNNN: Brief description of the change
+Backport format: [X.Y] Brief description (GH-NNNNNN)
 
-# Pull Request title
-
-It should be in the following format:
-
-```
-gh-NNNNNN: Summary of the changes made
-```
-
-Where: gh-NNNNNN refers to the GitHub issue number.
-
-Most PRs will require an issue number. Trivial changes, like fixing a typo, do not need an issue.
-
-# Backport Pull Request title
+Trivial changes (typo fixes, etc.) do not need a linked issue.
+See .github/CONTRIBUTING.rst for the full contributor guide.
+-->
 
-If this is a backport PR (PR made against branches other than `main`),
-please ensure that the PR title is in the following format:
+<!-- If this resolves an issue, replace NNNNNN below. Otherwise remove the line. -->
+Fixes #NNNNNN
 
-```
-[X.Y] <title from the original PR> (GH-NNNNNN)
-```
+## Summary
 
-Where: [X.Y] is the branch name, for example: [3.13].
+<!-- Describe what this PR changes and why. -->
 
-GH-NNNNNN refers to the PR number from `main`.
+## Checklist
 
--->
+- [ ] Tests added or updated
+- [ ] Documentation updated (if user-visible behavior changed)
+- [ ] News entry added (`blurb add`, or manually in `Misc/NEWS.d/next/`)