Nikachit karma (निकाचित कर्म) – in very simple words – is:

• A fixed, unchangeable karma
• Once it is bound in “nikachit” form,

its result must be experienced – it cannot be: - made lighter or heavier - delayed or pre‑poned - changed in nature

It is like the tightest bondage of karma. Other karmas can be modified by repentance, pratikraman, tapa, etc., but nikachit karma can only be finished by actually going through its pleasure or pain.

This understanding is common to both Śvetāmbara and Digambara traditions (technical details are taken from karma‑grantha / śatkhaṇḍāgam tradition).

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How does nikachit karma get bound?

Jain scriptures explain that karma in general – including that which later becomes nikachit – is bound when:

1. Mind, speech and body are used in wrong ways

– violence, lies, cheating, sensual indulgence, etc.

1. Passions (kaṣāya) are present:

- krodh – anger / hate - mān – pride / ego - māyā – deceit - lobh – greed / intense craving

1. These passions are:

- Very intense, and - Held for a long time, or - Combined with very strong contemplation (deeply thinking and deciding in a very noble or very ignoble way).

When such strong, steady passions are there, the karmic particles that bind to the soul can become so “tight” that:

• no utkarṣaṇa / apakarṣaṇa (increase / decrease),
• no saṅkramaṇa (change of type),
• no udīraṇā (premature fruition)

can act on them. These are then called nikachit karma.

In brief:

• Normal karma = can often be softened/changed by right effort.
• Nikachit karma = bound due to very intense, deeply rooted passions and strong contemplation; its result is now certain and unalterable and must be borne.

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Does this mean “everything is fixed”?

No. Very important point in Jainism:

• Only some karmas become nikachit.
• Most karmas are changeable through:

- samyak darshan (right faith) - samyak jñān (right knowledge) - samyak chāritra (right conduct) - tapa, pratikraman, forgiveness, vows, etc.

So “nikachit karma” is not a license for laziness or hopelessness. It only explains why certain specific experiences have to occur, even when someone is doing strong effort now.

You can read a simple Q&A on this topic here