He commanded the 2nd battalion, The Rajputana Rifles (2 RajRif) in the Rajasthan Sector and in Jammu and Kashmir.

[7] On 26 January 2003, Parnaik was awarded the Yudh Seva Medal for his command of an infantry brigade during the 2001–2002 India–Pakistan standoff.

After a year-long tenure as GOC IV Corps, he moved to Army HQ as the Director General Perspective Planning - DG (PP).

For his tenure as GOC IV Corps, on 26 January 2010, Parnaik was awarded the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal.

[15] Parnaik was appointed Governor by Droupadi Murmu, President of India on 12 February 2023.