La 1-x Y x Ni 1− y Co y O 3 nanoparticles were fabricated via facile microemulsion route and impact of dopants was evaluated based on various structural, electrical and optical properties. The X-ray diffraction pattern confirmed the distorted rhombohedral symmetry with space group R 3 c¯ of La 1-x Y x Ni 1− y Co y O 3 with particle size in 76–92 nm range. Dielectric parameters showed high dispersion at low frequency, while remained constant at low values. The AC conductivity showed increasing trend with doping in association with enhanced polarization. Band gap was tuned from 2.75 eV for pure LaNiO 3 (LNO) to 2.60 eV for doped LNYC3 material in agreement with decline in PL intensity for improved catalytic response. The LNYC3 showed superior RhB degradation efficacy of 91% versus pure LNO (63%) in 210 min under visible illumination with rate constant of 0.0513 and 0.0029 min− 1, respectively. In view of its promising catalytic activity, LNYC3 has potential application for the removal of dyes from effluents under solar light irradiation.