 Saxena joined the Indian Police Service in 1950 and served in Uttar Pradesh as Chief of Police in various districts including Rampur, Aligarh, Bareilly and Allahabad.Later, he was deputated to the Government of India in April 1969, served in Research and Analysis Wing for 16 years, and headed it from 1983 to 1986.He was chief of the agency during the Kanishka Bombing and Operation Blue Star.