Moving in line with the equity market, the rupee dropped 31 paise to 49.81 against the American currency during mid-session on persistent dollar demand from importers.
The rupee resumed lower at 49.72/73 per dollar at the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market as against Friday's level of 49.50/51 per dollar, and dropped further to 49.81, before quoting at 49.78/79 per dollar at 1145 hrs.
Persistent dollar demand from importers in view of higher crude oil in overseas market mainly affected the rupee value against the dollar, a forex dealer said.
Meanwhile, crude oil prices rose in Asian on signs of stronger US economic growth, analysts said.
The BSE Sensex tumbled 202 points or 1.15% in the early trade.