 The evolutionary relationships of the Pondicherry shark are uncertain.In a 1988 study based on morphological data, Compagno tentatively grouped it with the smalltail shark ("C. porosus"), blackspot shark ("C. sealei"), spottail shark ("C. sorrah"), creek whaler ("C. fitzroyensis"), whitecheek shark ("C. dussumieri"), Borneo shark ("C. borneensis"), and hardnose shark ("C. macloti").The Pondicherry shark has a robust build and a moderately long, pointed snout.