Jains mainly divided into two big groups many years after Bhagwan Mahavir, not during his lifetime.

Two main groups

1. Digambar – “Sky‑clad”
2. Shvetambar – “White‑clad”

When did the division happen?

Historians and Jain tradition say:

• For about few centuries after Mahavir (599–527 BCE approx.) the Jain sangh was mostly one.
• Slowly, between about 3rd century BCE to 5th century CE, differences became strong and finally two clear sects formed:

- Digambar tradition - Shvetambar tradition ( prepp.in)

So, we cannot give one exact year, but we can say:

> The Jain sangh gradually divided into Digambar and Shvetambar roughly 400–900 years after Mahavir’s nirvana.

Why did they divide?

Traditional Jain accounts and modern scholars mention mainly:

1. Famine and migration

- A severe famine in Magadh region. - One group of sadhus under Acharya Bhadrabahu went towards South (Karnataka side). - Another group under Sthulabhadra stayed in the North. ( drishtiias.com)

1. Difference in practices

- Southern group kept very strict rules, including nudity for monks. - Northern group started wearing simple white cloth. - Later these became identities: - Digambar – nude monks. - Shvetambar – white‑clothed monks and nuns. ( jainknowledge.com)

1. Difference in scriptures and some beliefs

- Disagreement about which Agams (scriptures) are original. - Some differences about: - whether women can get moksha directly, - details about kevali’s body and food, - style of murti (idol) and puja. ( jainknowledge.com)

But remember: Both Digambar and Shvetambar fully accept Mahavir Bhagwan, the 24 Tirthankars and the main principles – ahimsa, aparigrah, anekantvad, samyak darshan–gyan–charitra.

You can read a simple explanation of the two sects and their differences here: