Appointments 15 September 2026
IPS Sanjukta Parashar Becomes First Woman IG of CRPF’s CoBRA Unit
Why in the News?
Senior IPS officer Sanjukta Parashar has been appointed as the first woman Inspector General (IG) of the Central Reserve Police Force’s (CRPF) CoBRA, the paramilitary force’s elite jungle warfare commando unit.
Key Features / Major Points:
Historic Appointment: This marks a significant milestone as the first time a woman officer has been appointed to head the elite combat formation of the specialized jungle warfare unit.
About CoBRA Unit: The CRPF raised CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) in 2008-09 specifically to tackle left-wing extremism across multiple Indian states and insurgency in parts of the Northeast.
Expanding Women's Leadership: Her appointment highlights the growing leadership and operational roles of women officers in the CRPF, with women IGs also heading formations like the Rapid Action Force (RAF), Jammu, Northeast, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.
Static GK Facts:
CoBRA Unit: A specialized jungle warfare commando wing of the CRPF trained for guerrilla tactics and anti-naxal operations.
CRPF: The largest of India's Central Armed Police Forces, functioning under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
One-Liner Quiz (All Competitive Exams):
Q: Who has been appointed as the first woman IG of CRPF's CoBRA unit?
A: Sanjukta Parashar
Q: In which year was the CRPF's CoBRA unit raised?
A: 2008-09
Q: What is the primary operational focus of the CoBRA commando force?
A: Jungle warfare and countering left-wing extremism