The present paper reports thermoluminescence (TL) glow curves and photoluminescence (PL) studies of europium, dysprosium co-doped iirconia (ZrO2:Eu3+, Dy3+). The sample were prepared by the solid state method with variable concentration of Eu (0.5-2 mol%) and Dy (0.5-2 mol%); thereafter, the TL glow curves were recorded for different doses of UV exposure at a heating rate of 6.7 degrees C s(-1). The kinetic parameters activation energy E, the order of kinetics b, and the frequency factor "s" of synthesized phosphors of ZrO2:Eu3+, Dy3+ have been calculated by using a peak shape method. The sample was characterized by XRD (X-ray diffraction), SEM (scanning electron microscope) and FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy). Effect of Eu and Dy concentration of PL and TL studies are also interpreted. Here the photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra were found at 307 and 395 nm and 594, 612 and 627 nm range respectively. The present phosphor acts as a single host for red emission display devices as well as may be used for thermoluminescence dosimetric material under UV exposure. Commission Internationale de l'eclairage co-ordinate of this nanophosphor (0.32, 0.34) is closed to that of the ideal white light (0.33, 0.33). Correlated color temperature of the white light (5894 K) is within the range of vertical daylight. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.