A series of La (Lanthanum)-exchanged Y zeolites have been prepared and the changes occurred in textural properties of the material have been characterized by XRD, SEM, surface area, pore volume, and pore size distribution techniques. La loading was observed to enhance not only acidity but also the porosity (in terms of mesopores) of the Y zeolite. The parent HY and three La loaded samples (LaHY-1, LaHY-2, and LaHY-3) have been studied for the changes in properties occurred by La loading and their collective influence on the catalytic performance toward the Jatropha oil to gasoline (JTG) reaction. All the catalysts exhibited 100 % conversion but the performance toward the gasoline selectivity is increased in the order of HY < LaHY-3 < LaHY-1 < LaHY-2. Detailed analysis of the results indicated that the increase in porosity (both in micro- and meso-pore region) rather than the acidity is responsible for enhanced catalytic performance of the LaHY-2 catalyst. This particular catalyst also exhibited lower coke formation and prolonged time-on-stream stability in the JTG reaction ascribed to the facile diffusion of the product molecules facilitated in mesopores.