Born at Chakalibhoria village near Panitola in Tinsukia district of Assam, Phukan came from a football family. His elder brothers Reboti Phukan, Sada Phukan and Rudra Phukan all played football at the state level.[1] In 1982, he started his junior career by representing Assam State Sub Junior team. In that year Assam was the runners-up in the National Sub Junior Football tournament. After his good performances, he was selected for the Assam Junior team in 1984. He represented Assam football team nine times in the Santosh Trophy. He was the captain of Assam state team in 1989 and 1990.
Phukan played for Maharana Athletic Club, one of the oldest club in North-East from 1985 to 1988. In 1989, he played for Mohammedan Sporting Club in Calcutta for one season. In 1990, he joined the Gauhati Town Club. In 1994, Phukan back to his old club Maharana Athletic Club and played there from 1994 to 1998.
In 1985, he represented the India U23 team against Italy in Delhi and Lucknow. In the same year he was selected in senior India national football team and made his International debut for India national football team in Nepal. In 1985–86, he was again picked for the Indian junior team for the matches which played in Pakistan and Riyadh. In 1988, he played for the SAI team against a Russian team in Guwahati and Shillong. He put up brilliant performances in those matches.[2]
In 2000, he retired from professional football.