The present paper reports the synthesis, photoluminescence (PL), and thermoluminescence (TL) studies of Eu3+-doped yttrium oxide (Y2O3) phosphor using inorganic materials like Y2O3, flux calcium fluoride, and europium oxide. The sample was prepared by the modified solid state reaction method, which is the most suitable for large-scale production. The prepared phosphor sample was characterized using powder X-ray diffraction, field emission gun scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , PL, TL, and Commission Internationale de I’Eclairage techniques. The PL emission was observed in the range 417–632 nm ranges all visible regions for the Y2O3 phosphor doped with Eu3+. Excitation spectrum found at 254 nm. Sharp intense peaks found around 467, 534, 594, 612, and 632 nm with high intensity. From the XRD data, using the Scherer’s formula, the calculated average crystallite size of Eu3+-doped Y2O3 phosphor is around 45 nm. TL study was carried out for the phosphor with UV irradiation. The present phosphor can act as single host for white light emission in display devices.