In Jainism, the answer is “it depends how strictly you want to follow ahimsa.”

1. Traditional Jain view (householders)

For shravaks (householders), traditional Jain achar allows curd (dahi) as a milk product, with some conditions:

• It should be made from permitted milk (cow, buffalo, goat, etc.), not from any forbidden source.
• It should be fresh – generally used within about 24 hours and not sour/over‑fermented.
• It should be prepared and eaten during the day, not late at night.
• It is counted among the “vigai” / “vighai” foods (stimulating foods like milk, curd, ghee, oil, jaggery, sugar), so:

- Not to be eaten in excess or daily as a habit. - Completely avoided in aayambil, many fasts, and stricter rituals.

So: yes, many Jains do eat curd, but with limits and care.

You can read more about milk and dairy from a Jain point of view here

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2. Scriptural and ethical concerns about curd

Some Jain explanations point out:

• Curd is formed by adding live bacteria to milk, so more micro‑hinsa (killing tiny organisms) is involved.
• Because of this, some teachers say curd is better avoided if one wants to be very careful about ahimsa.
• For sadhus/sadhvis, rules are much stricter; in many traditions they do not take curd at all.

Both Digambar and Shwetambar agree on the basic principle: > anything that increases unnecessary himsa or passions should be reduced or left.

Specific practical rules (exact time limits, what is allowed on which vrat, etc.) can differ slightly by gacch/sangh and by guru.

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3. Modern situation: dairy violence

Today, in modern dairy:

• Cows/buffaloes are often tied, injected, separated from calves, and sent to slaughter.
• Because of this strong gross violence, many serious Jains (both Digambar and Shwetambar) now choose to avoid all dairy (milk, curd, ghee, cheese, etc.) and follow a vegan lifestyle.

From an ahimsa point of view:

• Minimum standard (traditional): vegetarian + limited, careful use of dairy and curd.
• Higher standard (stricter ahimsa): avoid dairy and curd altogether if possible.

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Simple takeaway

• Are Jains “allowed” to consume curd?

- Yes, traditionally household Jains are allowed, with rules (fresh, limited, day‑time, not during certain vrats).

• Is it better to avoid curd?

- From a stricter ahimsa and modern dairy‑reality perspective, yes, avoiding curd and all dairy is spiritually higher if you are able to do it.

So you are not “automatically wrong” if you currently eat curd, but as you grow spiritually, Jain dharma gently encourages moving towards less and less himsa, which for many today means reducing or giving up curd and other dairy products.