Rupee hits all-time low of 92 against US dollar in early trade
Mumbai (PTI): The rupee hit an all-time low of 92.00 against the American currency in early trade on Thursday, weighed down by steady dollar demand and a cautious global mood.
Forex traders said the rupee fell after the dollar index rose from its 4-1/2-year lows, following the FED's announcement that it kept rates unchanged at the conclusion of its first policy decision of 2026.
Moreover, rising geopolitical uncertainty has increased risk aversion, keeping emerging market currencies under pressure.
At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 91.95 and lost ground to trade at 92 against the greenback, down 1 paisa from its previous close amid increased month-end dollar demand.
On Wednesday, the rupee settled 31 paise down, revisiting its lowest-ever closing level of 91.99 against the greenback.
On January 23, the rupee hit an all-time intraday low of 92 against the US dollar.
"This steady capital drain has kept dollar demand elevated," CR Forex Advisors MD – Amit Pabari said.
"Oil prices have risen more than 4 per cent this week, extending gains for a third consecutive session to levels last seen in late September. The rise followed US warnings of potential military action if Iran fails to reach a nuclear agreement, heightening concerns over supply disruptions," Pabari said.
As a net oil importer, India remains particularly vulnerable to sustained increases in crude prices, Pabari added.
Meanwhile, the dollar index, which measures the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.29 per cent lower at 96.16.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was trading 1.32 per cent higher at USD 69.30 per barrel in futures trade.
"With USD/INR hovering near 92.00 in the NDF market, this level remains a key near-term pivot. A sustained move above it could open the door toward 92.20–92.50, but RBI support and a broadly softer dollar backdrop may cap upside and gradually pull the pair back toward 91.00–91.20," Pabari said.
On the domestic equity market front, Sensex declined 343.67 points to 82,001.01 in early trade, while Nifty dropped 94.2 points to 25,248.55.
Foreign institutional investors purchased equities worth Rs 480.26 crore on Wednesday, according to exchange data.
Meanwhile, India's industrial production grew at an over two-year high pace of 7.8 per cent in December 2025 on the back of robust output in manufacturing, mining and power sectors, according to government data released on Wednesday.
The factory output, measured in terms of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), expanded by 3.7 per cent in December 2024.
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Surjewala slams Pratap Simha’s ‘vile’ remarks on CM Siddaramaiah, demands apology from BJP
Bengaluru (PTI): Congress general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the BJP over alleged disparaging remarks made by former Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during an assembly bypoll campaign in Bagalkote.
Simha made the remarks while campaigning for BJP candidate Veerabhadrayya Charantimath, triggering a political row ahead of the by-elections scheduled for April 9.
Congress has fielded Umesh Meti, son of former MLA late M Y Meti, whose death necessitated the bye-election.
"Pratap Simha's vile remarks about Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bagalkot have exposed the BJP's despicable politics once again," Surjewala said in a social media post.
Alleging a larger political design, he added, "It is increasingly evident that Pratap Simha’s outburst is driven by desperation," and accused the BJP of using such remarks to target backward classes, Scheduled Castes, and minorities.
The Rajya Sabha member further claimed that the incident reflects a pattern within the party. "This is not one man's madness—it is the BJP’s political culture," he said, adding that the remarks were aimed at "denigrating leaders from marginalised communities".
Referring to past incidents, Surjewala said, "CM Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar have received death threats in the past, including one from BJP leaders who warned that their bodies would be stuffed into a refrigerator."
The Congress leader also criticised the BJP’s bypoll campaign strategy, alleging "internal contradictions".
He pointed to the party’s use of expelled MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal in campaigning despite earlier disciplinary action against him, accusing the BJP of resorting to "abuses and indignities" against opposition leaders.
Surjewala demanded immediate action from the BJP leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP national president Nitin Nabin, state president B Y Vijayendra, and Leader of Opposition R Ashoka.
He said they must tender a public apology to Kannadigas, particularly to OBCs, SCs, and minorities, over the remarks, and urged the party to expel Simha if it does not repudiate his statements.
Surjewala also called for legal action, demanding that an FIR be registered against Simha and that strict measures be taken.
Warning of "political consequences", he said the electorate in the bypoll-bound constituencies would respond decisively if the BJP failed to apologise, asserting that voters would "teach the BJP a befitting lesson" in the elections.
There has been no immediate reaction from the saffron party yet.
