Chemically synthesised ZnO and Nd-doped ZnO nanoparticles were investigated for structural, optical, magnetic properties along with photocatalytic activity. Transmission electron microscopy measurement was performed on the undoped and doped ZnO nanoparticles. Compared to the undoped ZnO, Nd-doped ZnO nanoparticles showed enhanced photoluminescent and ferromagnetic properties. The Nd-doped ZnO nanoparticles also showed improved photocatalytic properties compared with the undoped ZnO nanoparticles. Furthermore, the effect of UV light irradiation was studied with thermoluminescence (TL) and photoluminescence (PL) measurement techniques. It was found that in case of Nd-doped ZnO nanoparticles TL intensity increased while the green emission in PL spectra decreased with UV-light irradiation. This was attributed to the production of more surface defects on UV irradiation on Nd-doping. Chemically synthesized ZnO and Nd-doped ZnO nanoparticles were investigated for structural, optical, magnetic properties along with photocatalytic activity. Compared to the undoped and doped ZnO nanoparticles. Compared to the undoped ZnO, Nd-doped ZnO nanoparticles showed enhanced The effect of UV light irradiation was studied with thermoluminescence (TL) and photoluminescence (PL) measurement techniques. It was found that in case of Nd-doped ZnO nanoparticles TL intensity increased while the green emission in PL spectra decreased with UV-light irradiation. This was attributed to the production of more surface defects on UV irradiation on Nd-doping.