The dependence of radiation stability of Gd₂Zr₂O₇ on stoichiometry and structure under swift heavy ion irradiation was investigated. Gd₂Zr₂O₇, lies on the borderline of pyrochlore to fluorite phase transition, hence, it is highly sensitive to variations in the composition and/or synthesis conditions. The Gd₂Zr₂O₇ was synthesized in two sets (Set-A and-B) by solid state synthesis and gel combustion yielding different phases and stoichiometry as confirmed by Resonant Rutherford back scattering spectrometry (RRBS) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Both sets of Gd₂Zr₂O₇ were irradiated with 120MeV Au ions with fluences varying from 3X10¹¹ to 1X10¹⁴ ions/cm². The pristine and irradiated samples were studied by X-ray diffraction ne upto the highest fluence 10¹⁴ ions/cm² employed, where as Set-B sample having anion-deficient fluorite structure lost crystallinity at the fluence of 5X10¹³ ions/cm², as revealed by in-situ XRD experiment. The in-situ XRD along with Raman studies elucidated that sample synthesized using solid state reaction process exhibits better stability under swift heavy ion irradiation, implying that the sample with perfect stoichio metric pyrochlore structure possess better radiation stability.