MUMBAI: The rupee declined by 26 paise to Rs 51.37 per dollar on the Interbank Foreign Exchange in early trade on Monday on increased demand from importers for the American currency.
Besides dollar's gains against other currencies overseas and a weak opening in the equity market put pressure on the local currency, traders said.
Meanwhile, the BSE benchmark Sensex lost 161.61 points, or 0.92%, at 17,324.41 in early trade.