Based on a longitudinal study in rural India, this article examines whether (i) women in unmet need are more likely to use contraception compared to those in no need; (ii) meeting unmet need can reduce unwanted pregnancies; (iii) contraceptive intentions with fertility preferences can enhance the utility of unmet need. The study covered 6303 women interviewed in 1998 and followed-up in 2002 in the states of Bihar, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. During the four years, one-fifth of the women transited from unmet to met need in Bihar compared to three-fifths in Maharashtra and half in Tamil Nadu. As acceptance of contraception becomes the norm, women in unmet need tend to become a selective group with less urge to use contraception. For a population in the transitional stage of contraceptive adoption, use of unmet need is beneficial and useful in predicting unwanted pregnancies. Further, contraceptive intentions with fertility preferences enhance the scope of unmet need.