Introduction: Enrolment in school in India does not necessarily translate into attendance, and absenteeism is an early indicator of lower levels of academic performance and school dropout and has its origins in early life. EAG states of India already have some of the lowest school enrolment rates; therefore, it becomes necessary to keep the children in school by curtailing absenteeism to reduce the dropout rates. Objective: This study attempts to understand the factors which affect absenteeism and chronic absenteeism in EAG states. Data and Analysis: This study uses IHDS-II (2012) data for children 8-11 years of age currently enrolled in primary school. Bivariate analysis and logistic regression analysis are done. Results: The results show that children were more likely to be absent when experiencing morbidity (OR:1.9, 95% CI 1.6-2.3) got a beating in school (OR:1.3, 95% CI 1.0-1.6) and repeating grade morbidity (OR:1.5, 95% CI 1.1-2.1). Children were more likely to be chronically absent due to morbidity (OR:1.6, 95% CI 1.3-1.8) and getting beating (OR:1.3, 95% CI 1.0-1.6) in school. Fathers schooling of more than five years and the increased time spent by the children in doing homework, parents' involvement in school and performance in Maths reduced their odds of absenteeism and chronic absenteeism. Conclusions: The increased involvement of parents and conducive school learning environment in school could encourage children to take an interest in school activities, prevent the children from being absent which can have curtail dropping out of primary school to some extent.