The present work involves the synthesis, characterization, photoluminescence and photocatalytic studies of Dy 3+ (1-11 mol%) doped Bi 2 O 3 nanophosphors (NPs) by solution combustion method. The average crystallite size was determined using powder X-ray diffraction, found to be in the range of 15-30 nm. Scanning electron microscopy images shows that the synthesised product is porous and agglomerated. Kubelka-Munk function was used to assess the energy gap of Dy 3+ doped Bi 2 O 3 nanophosphors and it was found to be 2.53-3.00 eV. From the emission spectra, Judd-Ofelt parameters (Ω 2 and Ω 4 ), transition probabilities (A T ), quantum efficiency (η), luminescence lifetime (τ r ), color chromaticity coordinates (CIE) and correlated color temperature values were estimated and discussed in detail. The CIE chromaticity co-ordinates were close to the National Television Standard Committee standard value of white emission. Using Langmuir-Hinshelwood model, the photocatalytic activity results of Acid Red-88 showed, Bi 2 O 3 :Dy 3+ NPs were potential material for the development of efficient photocatalyst for environmental remediation. The obtained results prove that the Bi 2 O 3 :Dy 3+ NPs synthesised by this method can be potentially used for solid state display and photocatalyst.