The taxonomy of Cecil Marquand's ‘remarkable little plant’ Gentiana vernayi C. Marquand (Microsperma–Gentianaceae) is revised. A new subspecies, G. vernayi C. Marquand subsp. favrei S. K. Dey & D. Maity subsp. nov. is described and illustrated from Sikkim Himalaya. The new taxon is strikingly distinct from G. vernayi subsp. vernayi by its mostly elliptic, acute leaves, and bright white flowers with comparatively small floral parts. Moreover, the basal part of the ovary is symmetric and the ovarian stipe is longer. In addition, in the new taxon the calyx lobes are sometimes six. Information on the habitat, phenology, distribution and conservation status of both taxa is provided. Gentiana vernayi C. Marquand was described by Cecil Marquand based on specimens collected from southern Tibet. Both subspecies are here reported from India for the first time and constitutes an extension of the species known range to the Sikkim Himalaya, India. The sympatric nature of both the taxa is discussed. The asymmetrical plicae in G. vernayi and members of the genus Kuepferia Adr.Favre are assumed to be a morphological convergence. © 2016 The Authors