RBI steps in to stem rupee fall, defends 77.50 per dollar level

Sources said the RBI aims to maintain foreign exchange reserves of $600 billion in such uncertain times

A day after the rupee hit an all-time low and breached the 77 per dollar mark, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Tuesday intervened heavily across foreign exchange markets — spot, futures, and off-shore — which stopped the rupee from going past the 77.50 per dollar level, currency dealers said.

The Indian currency opened at 77.29 per dollar after closing at 77.46 on Monday. State-run banks sold dollars heavily, on behalf of the central bank, at 77.42 levels, the dealers said. The rupee ended the day 77.33 per dollar, up 14 paise from the previous close, after touching the day’s