The distinguishing feature of this species, at least among the Raorchestes from the Western Ghats, is its yellow dorsal surface of the forearm and the loreal region. Raorchestes glandulosus are small frogs. Males are in snout-vent length. Among the generally small Raorchestes, this makes them medium-sized. The holotype, now lost, was about . The snout is pointed. The dorsum is shagreened. The lateral abdominal area is prominently glandular (hence the specific name glandulosus). Dorsal coloration varies between individuals and environmental conditions between dark green to dark purple or violet. The sides, forelimbs, and the loreal and tympanic regions are yellow. The ventrum is yellow to light yellow.