The neodymium manganate (NdMnO3) nanoparticles are synthesized by the sol-gel process. The phase formation and particle size of the sample are determined by X-ray diffraction analysis and transmission electron microscopy. The band gap of the material is obtained by UV-visible absorption spectroscopy using Tauc relation. Dielectric properties of the sample have been investigated in the frequency range from 42 Hz to 1 MHz and in the temperature range from 303 K to 573 K. The dielectric relaxation peaks are observed in the frequency dependent dielectric loss spectra. The Cole-Cole model is used to explain the dielectric relaxation mechanism of the material. The complex impedance plane plot confirms the existence of both the grain and grain-boundary contribution to the relaxation. The temperature dependence of both grain and grain-boundary resistances follow the Arrhenius law with the activation energy of 0.427 and 0.431 eV respectively. The frequency-dependent conductivity spectra follow the power law. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.