The rupee declined by 20 paise to 86.36 against the US dollar in early trade on Monday, pressured by the broad strength of the greenback in global markets and a negative trend in domestic equities.
According to forex dealers, the rupee's downward momentum continued, with the breach of the crucial 86.00 level accelerating the slide as a rebounding dollar index dampened investor sentiment.
At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local currency opened at 86.27 against the US dollar and touched a low of 86.36 in the initial session, marking a 20 paise drop from its previous close.