Gen Parnaik was commissioned into Corps of Engineers on December 22, 1974 and held various staff, instructional and command appointments.
Some of his important assignments include Commanding Officer of an Engineer Regiment, Colonel Administration of an Infantry Division, Instructor at College of Military Engineering and the Centre for United Nations Peace keeping and Group Testing Officer at Services Selection Board.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, the General Officer has also graduated from College of Military Engineering, Defence Services Staff College, Army War College and National Defence College.
He has commanded a Border Road Task Force and served as Senior Military Observer of United Nations Mission in Congo. He has been a Chief Engineer with a Strike Corps and served as Brigadier Administration in the Valley.
After serving as the Chief Engineer of a Command, he was posted as General Officer Commanding of an Area in the East. Later he served as Additional Director General Personal Services in the Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Army).
Before taking over as DG of Border Roads, the General Officer was holding the appointment of Director General Planning at the Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Army), New Delhi, a release from Defence Ministry said.