School completion plays a crucial role in shaping the child’s future economic opportunities and social destiny. Moreover, children are deeply affected by their home environment and the social and economic disadvantages faced by families are bound to be passed onto the younger generations.

This paper investigates child and household factors that determine educational outcomes of children. Using cross-sectional and panel data analysis, enrolment and standard test scores of children in Andhra Pradesh (India) are analysed. The results from this study confirm the established positive effects of household wealth and parental education. Caste, ethnic and religious inequalities are also important determinants of educational outcomes. Amongst child characteristics, age, gender and innate ability have a significant impact on school enrolment and learning.