The various reasons of poverty in India are:

(i) One historical reason of poverty in India is the low level of economic development under the British colonial administration.

(ii) Low rate of India’s economic growth after independence This resulted in less job opportunities and low growth rates of incomes, accompanied by a high growth rate of population hence increasing poverty.

(iii) The government failure on both fronts, i.e., promotion of economic growth arid population control perpetuated the cycle of poverty. 

(iv) Lack of land resources and indebtedness had aggravated to the cause of poverty.

(v) Lack of job opportunities compelled many people to work as rickshaw pullers, vendors, construction workers, domestic servants etc. With irregular small incomes, these people could not afford expensive housing. They started living in slums on the outskirts of the cities.

(vi) High level of indebtedness among the small farmers is also a major cause of poverty in our country. Since poor farmers hardly have any savings, they borrow. Unable to repay because of poverty, they become victims of indebtedness.