The consequences of swift heavy ion (SHI) irradiation (Li 3+ , 50 MeV, fluence = 5× 10 13 ions/cm 2 ) on the structural and microscopic magnetic properties of Y 3+ -substituted yttrium iron garnet (Y 3+x Fe 5−x O 12 , x = 0.0, 0.2 and 0.4) have been studied at 300 K. It is found that an additional YFeO 3 -phase observed along with bcc garnet phase, is completely removed for x = 0.2 composition while its percentage formation considerably reduces for x = 0.4 composition after irradiation. Similar effect has been observed for specimens sintered at 1,500 • C. The SHI-induced ion beam mixing has been revealed through X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy.