Energy transfer excited upconversion emission in Nd 3+ /Pr 3+ -codped tellurite glass have been studied on pumping with 800nm wavelength. The upconversion emission bands from Pr 3+ ion are observed at the 488, 524, 546, 612, 647, 672, 708 and 723nm due to the ( 3 P 0 + 3 P 1 )→ 3 H 4 , 3 P 1 → 3 H 5 , 3 P 0 → 3 H 5 , 3 P 0 → 3 H 6 , 3 P 0 → 3 F 2 , 3 P 1 → 3 F 3 , 3 P 0 → 3 F 3 and 3 P 0 → 3 F 4 transitions, respectively. The addition of ytterbium ions (Yb 3+ ) on the upconversion emission intensity is also studied and result shows an eight times enhancement in the upconversion intensity at 488nm from Pr 3+ ions. The pump power and concentration dependence studies are also made. It is found that Yb 3+ ions transfer its excitation energy to Nd 3+ from which it goes to Pr 3+ . No direct transfer to Pr 3+ is seen. This is verified by codoping Nd 3+ and Pr 3+ into the host.