Parnaik succeeds Lt Gen BS Jaswal who retired on Friday.
The new command chief was received at Bikram Park Helipad at Udhampur, 65 kms from here, by Lt Gen Jasbir Singh, Chief of Staff at Northern Command, which guards the frontier with Pakistan, PoK and China.
After his arrival, Parnaik laid a wreath at the Dhruva Saheed Samark and met officers posted in the command headquarters, the spokesman said.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla, Parnaik was commissioned into the 2 Rajputana Rifles on 31 March, 1972, and earned experience in both command and staff appointments. He is known for his expertise in counter-insurgency and high altitude warfare.
Parnaik has been awarded the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card twice for his distinguished service in north-eastern sector and Yudh Seva Medal in 2003 for his exemplary conduct while in command of an infantry brigade during Operation Parakaram along LoC. He is also a recipient of gallantry award `Uttam Yudh Seva Medal`.