Dealers said besides strengthening of dollar against the major currencies including yen, which plunged to a year-and-a-half low overseas, a lower opening the domestic equity market mainly put pressure on the local unit.
Meanwhile, the BSE benchmark Sensex fell by 33.22 points, or 0.17 per cent, to 19,284.03 in early trade.
The rupee had lost just two paisa to close at 54.48 against the US currency on Friday.
