In Jainism (especially Śvetāmbara Sthānakvāsī / Terāpanth tradition), “32 Āgam” means the 32 canonical scriptures they accept as authority.

They are grouped like this:

• 11 Aṅga Āgam
• 12 Upāṅga Āgam
• 4 Cheda-sūtra
• 4 Mūla-sūtra
• 1 Āvaśyaka-sūtra

Total = 11 + 12 + 4 + 4 + 1 = 32

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1. 11 Aṅga Āgam (main canonical texts)

These are considered the core teachings of Bhagvān Mahāvīr as taught to Gaṇadhars:

1. Ācārāṅga Sūtra – conduct of monks, non‑violence in great detail.
2. Sūtrakṛtāṅga – refutation of wrong beliefs, description of vows and discipline.
3. Sthānāṅga – topics arranged by “number” (1, 2, 3… topics).
4. Samavāyāṅga – numerical and systematic arrangement of doctrinal points.
5. Bhagavatī / Vyākhyāprajñapti – long question–answer text; deep philosophy, universe, karma, etc.
6. Jñātādharmakathāṅga – religious stories teaching dharma.
7. Upāsakadaśāṅga – ten stories of ideal householders (śrāvaks).
8. Antakṛddaśāṅga – those who ended saṃsār and attained liberation.
9. Anuttaraupapātikadaśāṅga – souls reborn in highest heavens.
10. Praśnavyākaraṇa – types of questions and method of answering.
11. Vipākaśruta – results (vipāk) of good and bad karma expressed through stories.

(Note: The 12th Aṅga Dṛṣṭivāda is believed lost and is not counted in these 32.)

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2. 12 Upāṅga Āgam (subsidiary scriptures)

They expand and explain topics of the Aṅgas:

1. Aupapātika (Uvavāiya) – sudden (instant) births in heavens/hells.
2. Rājapraśnīya – King Prasenajit’s questions to Mahāvīr.
3. Jīvābhigama – classification of living beings (jīva).
4. Prajñāpanā (Pannavanā) – very detailed listing of substances, places, etc.
5. Sūryaprajñapti – sun, time‑calculation, cosmology.
6. Candraprajñapti – moon, its motions, time, etc.
7. Jambūdvīpaprajñapti – geography of Jambūdvīp (middle continent).
8. Nirayāvalikā – accounts of hells and sufferings there.
9. Kalpāvatansikā – stories related to heavens and celestial beings.
10. Puṇyapāvakā – fruits of meritorious actions.
11. Pāpakātya – fruits of sinful actions.
12. Kalpāvaḍaṃsikā / Kappavadamsiā – further heavenly/other narratives.

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3. 4 Cheda-sūtra (texts on monastic discipline & penalties)

These mainly regulate monks’ and nuns’ conduct, rules, and atonements:

1. Ācāradaśā (Daśāśrutaskandha) – ten topics on ascetic conduct.
2. Bṛhatkalpa – rules for monks and nuns (daily conduct, rainy‑season stay, etc.).
3. Vyavahāra – procedures for dealing with faults and disciplinary cases.
4. Niśītha – serious transgressions and their expiations.

(Other Śvetāmbara groups also count Jītakalpa and Mahāniśītha, making 6 Cheda-sūtras and a total of 45 Āgams, but Sthānakvāsī / Terāpanth generally accept the above 4 for their count of 32.)

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4. 4 Mūla-sūtra (basic foundational texts)

These are basic texts usually studied first by sādhus/sādhvīs:

1. Daśavaikālika Sūtra – essential rules and conduct for monks.
2. Uttarādhyayana Sūtra – 36 chapters of core teachings, stories, and discipline.
3. Nandī Sūtra – kinds of knowledge (jñān), scriptural classification.
4. Anuyogadvāra Sūtra – “door” to all scriptural interpretation; how to understand and explain Āgams.

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5. 1 Āvaśyaka-sūtra

5 daily essential duties (Āvaśyak) of a Jain are based on this text:

• Āvaśyaka Sūtra – pratikramaṇa, sāmāyika, vandanā, etc.; includes basic prayers, confessions, and practices of daily discipline.

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Note on Traditions

• Śvetāmbara Mūrtipūjak: usually say there are 45 Āgams (they add 2 more Cheda-sūtras, 10 Prakīrṇaka, and 2 Chūlika).
• Śvetāmbara Sthānakvāsī & Terāpanth: generally speak of 32 Āgams as listed above.
• Digambar: hold that the original Aṅgas were lost; they do not accept this Śvetāmbara Āgam list as authoritative and follow other main scriptures (like Ṣaṭkhaṅḍāgama, Kaṣāyapāhuda, etc.).

For a simple explanation of what “Āgam” means, you can read more here