Hu et al. (2018) revised the Graphium (Pazala) mandarinus (Oberthür, 1879) group, within which two subspecies are found in India: Graphium mandarinus paphus (de Nicéville, 1886) and Graphium mandarinus garhwalica (Katayama, 1988). Based on molecular and morphological analyses, Hu et al. (2018) elevated paphus and garhwalica to species status.

Graphium paphus (de Nicéville, 1886) and Graphium garhwalica (Katayama, 1988) exhibit only minor differences in external morphology and can be distinguished as follows:

G. garhwalica (FWL 32–33 mm) is smaller in size compared to G. paphus (FWL 35–41 mm).
In G. garhwalica, the forewing (FW) termen is straight, whereas in G. paphus, it is concave in the middle and slightly wavy towards the end of each vein.
In G. garhwalica, the origin of vein 2 (v.2) at the forewing cell lacks black scales and appears white, while in G. paphus, this region is black, forming a distinct black line.
The black discal line at the mid-cell of the upperside hindwing (UPH) is reduced in G. garhwalica, whereas it is prominent and well-defined in G. paphus.