The species has a triangular and elevated carapace with a prominent spiked keel and 26 strongly serrated marginal plates.

[6][5] The species' local names include dura kaso (দূৰা কাছ) in Assamese, śiloṭi xaṭua (ꠍꠤꠟꠐꠤ ꠇꠣꠐꠥꠀ) in Sylheti, kãṭa kachim (কাঁটা কাছিম) in Bengali.

It is found in terrestrial and freshwater habitats in areas with upland tropical moist forest, and fast-flowing streams and perhaps also small rivers.

[6] Assam roofed turtles nest between late October and February, corresponding with the cool, dry season, and produce clutches of 6 to 12 eggs.

[4] The Assam roofed turtle is a rare species known only from a few individuals; it is believed to have one of the narrowest distributions of any south Asian geoemydid.