India has widespread poverty due to various, historical, socio-economic and cultural reasons ;
Socio-cultural causes of poverty
In order to fulfil social obligations and observe religious ceremonies, most people in India including the poor used to spent lot of money. This take them back to poverty.
Economic causes of Poverty
Small farmers used to take loans to buy seeds, fertilisers, pesticides etc. When there is crop failure they become indebted. This takes them under poverty.