Dealers said increased foreign funds inflows amid a better opening in the domestic equity market, supported the rupee but dollar's gains against the euro and other currencies overseas restricted the gains.
The rupee had closed 21 paise lower at Rs 53.63 against the US currency in the previous session on Friday on fresh dollar demand from importers.
Meanwhile, the 30-share BSE Sensex recovered by 65.09 points, or 0.40 per cent, to 16,358.07 in early trade today.