Perovskite-type Cd-doped LaCoO 3 materials were synthesized by a simple solution-based combustion process. The synthesized materials were characterized by powder Xray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), diffuse reflectance (DR) in the UV-VIS, and magnetic property measurements. The parent LaCoO 3 compound showed spin-glass transition at low temperatures, and with progressive Cd doping, showed transition to paramagnetic ordering. The changes in magnetic properties of the materials are correlated to the changes in structural features resulting from the Rietveld structural refinement of the materials.