Chromium doped TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by sol-gel method and studied by X-ray diffraction, Raman, UV-vis and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The size distribution and composition of the material were investigated by TEM and EDAX respectively. Incorporation of Cr3+ leads to the distortion of lattice structure and creation of oxygen vacancies as revealed by XRD and Raman spectra. Crystal field splitting of Cr3+ in substituted TiO2 results in a spin allowed and spin forbidden absorption peaks arising from Fano antiresonance. Luminescence spectra give emission lines of dopant as well as of oxygen related defect centers. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.