What will happen to your PPF account once it completes 15 years?? Many are unaware (including bank staff). Hence, it is wise to understand the rules properly.
Read a thread..

Ideally, PPF is not a 15 years product. But slightly higher than that. Because PPF will mature on immediately next 1st April after the completion of 15 years. Let us take an example.

Assume you have opened PPF on the 23rd of Nov 2022. Then It will complete 15 years on 23rd Nov 2037. However, the maturity date as I mentioned above is immediately next 1st of April. Hence, it will mature on 1st April 2038.

Now once it completes 15 years, then you have three options.
1) Close the account.
2) Extend for another 5 years (without any fresh contribution)
3) Extend for another 5 years (with contribution)
Let us see the options one by one.

1) Close the account -
You have to opt for this within a year from the date of completion of 15 years.
You will get the complete principal and interest (up to the last day of the month preceding the month in which the account is closed.