diff --git a/.github/pull_request_template.md b/.github/pull_request_template.md
index 0c9be0346..3e70589a3 100644
--- a/.github/pull_request_template.md
+++ b/.github/pull_request_template.md
@@ -1,6 +1,23 @@
 ### 🧾 PR Checklist
 
 - [ ] Target branch is `dev`
-- [ ] Changes have been tested locally
 
 📌 Note: PRs must be raised against `dev`. Do not commit directly to `main`.
+
+### ✅ Testing & CI
+- [ ] No existing GitHub Actions are failing because of this change
+
+### 📁 File Hygiene & Output Handling
+- [ ] No unintended files (e.g., logs, cache, temp files, __pycache__, output folders) are committed
+
+### 📝 Comments & Communication
+- [ ] Proper inline comments are added to explain important or non-obvious changes
+- [ ] PR title and description clearly state what the PR does and why
+- [ ] Related issues (if any) are properly referenced (`Fixes #`, `Related to #`, etc.)
+- [ ] All reviewer feedback has been addressed
+
+### 🛡️ Safety & Security
+- [ ] No secrets or credentials are committed
+- [ ] Paths, shell commands, and environment handling are safe and portable
+
+