[citation needed] Karnik joined the Indian army in 1981 and served as a commissioned officer along the North-East and the western border of the country.
He is also involved in social activities and has collaborated with Ramakrishna Mission, Mangalore on Swach Bharath initiatives.
Karnik entered the field of politics as a member of the Karnataka Legislative Council in 2006 representing the South-west Teachers’ Constituency (which includes Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Shimoga, Kodagu, Chikmagalur districts and Channagiri and Honnalli taluks of Davanagere district).
[2] In June 2012, Karnik was elected as a member of the Karnataka Legislative Council representing the Bangalore South-East Teachers’ Constituency.
[3] He was recently appointed as the BJP incharge for Dakshina Kannada District during the Lok Sabha elections of 2024.