The effect of anthanum substitution (0-20%) on phase formation, structural evolution and electrical properties of SrBi2Ta2O 9 (SET) ceramics were investigated. X-ray diffraction studies revealed that phase pure SBT bulk samples can be synthesized with lanthanum doping without any phase segregation. Raman spectroscopy was used to understand the lattice vibrational characteristics of La substituted SBT compound. The ferroelectric soft mode at 27 cm-1 was shifted towards the lower frequencies at room temperature with increase in La concentrations. The octahedral stretching mode (O-Ta-O) did not influenced by La substitution in SBT. The x-ray photoemission spectroscopy measurements showed the decrease of binding energy of Bi 4f core levels (5/2 and 7/2) upon La substitution in SBT. The dielectric constant was increased from 120 to 190 up to 10% La doping and decreased with further increase in La concentration.