Lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate [Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O-3-PbTiO3] powders doped with different mole % of CeO2 were prepared by a modified columbite route with compositions corresponding to morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) region. These powders were calcined at 800 degrees C for 4 h and circular test specimens were prepared by uniaxial pressing. The specimens were sintered at 1150 degrees C/2 h, poled at 2 kV/mm d.c. voltage and were characterized for dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties. It was observed that the piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties initially increase up to 2 mol% of ceria addition and then decrease with increase in ceria concentration. The diffusivity of the dielectric curves increases with increase in ceria concentration. The decrease in Curie temperature was observed from 173 degrees C corresponding to pure PMN-PT to a temperature of 138 degrees C for 10 mol% of ceria addition.