Sanjukta Parashar, First Woman to Lead CRPF CoBRA, Contributions

Sanjukta Parasor is a 2006 batch Indian Police Service Officer of the Assam-Meghalaya Cadre. She is popularly known as the “Iron Lady of Assam”. She has worked in counter insurgency, field policing and national security. In September 2026, Sanjukta Parashar became the first woman Inspector General to lead the Central Reserve Police Force’s specialised CoBRA unit.

Sanjukta Parasor Biography

Sanjukta Parasor has built her career through field assignments in Assam and national security investigations. Her experience includes counter insurgency operations and service with the National Investigation Agency.

• Birth and Education: Sanjukta Parashar was born in October 1979. She completed her early education in Assam and later studied in Delhi. She graduated in Political Science from Indraprastha College, Delhi University and completed a master’s in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University.
• IPS Career: Sanjukta Parasor joined the Indian Police Service as part of the 2006 batch. She belongs to the Assam-Meghalaya cadre and served in several operational and investigative roles during her career.
• Assam Experience: She led counter insurgency operations in Assam, particularly in the state’s upper region. Her field policing experience in insurgency affected areas contributed to her reputation as the “Iron Lady of Assam”.
• National Investigation Agency: Sanjukta Parashar served in the National Investigation Agency from 2017 to 2023. She worked as an SP and later became a DIG, handling terrorism and extremism related investigations.
• Police Training Recognition: As NIA DIG, Sanjukta Parasor received a medal for excellence in police training from Union Home Minister Amit Shah in April 2022. Her career combines field operations with national level investigations.

First Woman to Lead CRPF CoBRA

Sanjukta Parasor’s September 2026 appointment placed her at the head of a specialised 10 battalion force focused on jungle warfare, guerrilla operations and counter insurgency.

• First Woman IG: Sanjukta Parasor became the first woman officer appointed Inspector General of the CRPF’s Commando Battalion for Resolute Action. She succeeded 1996 batch IPS officer Danesh Rana.
• CoBRA: The CRPF established CoBRA in 2008-09 to tackle Left Wing Extremism and insurgency. A total of 10 CoBRA units were raised between 2008 and 2011.
• Operational Role: CoBRA personnel are specially trained for jungle warfare and guerrilla operations. Their duties include intelligence based missions, long range patrols, ambushes, counter ambushes and operations in difficult terrain.
• Current Deployment: Two CoBRA units were recently deployed in Manipur amid armed violence. Their deployment added a counter insurgency dimension to Sanjukta Parashar’s new operational responsibility.

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Sanjukta Parashar Contributions

Sanjukta Parasor’s career covers counter insurgency, field policing, intelligence investigations and leadership in specialised security operations across different levels.

• Counter Insurgency Work: Sanjukta Parashar gained recognition through counter insurgency operations in Northeast India. Her field experience in Assam became a defining part of her professional record.
• National Security: Her NIA tenure expanded her experience from field policing to investigations involving terrorism and extremism. This provided exposure to national level security challenges.
• Women Empowerment: Her appointment as CoBRA IG established the first woman led command of the specialised 10 battalion force. It marks a new milestone for women officers in specialised security leadership.