The Indian rupee hovered near 96.1 per dollar, after touching successive record lows in recent sessions, weighed down by rising US Treasury yields, surging crude oil prices, and a broader risk-off mood in global markets. Pressure on emerging-market currencies intensified as the benchmark 10-year US Treasury yield climbed to 4.6250%, while Brent crude rose nearly 2% to $111.34 per barrel amid stalled US–Iran diplomatic talks. Investor sentiment was further shaken by reports of an attack on a nuclear facility in the UAE and expectations that US President Trump could discuss military options on Iran. Traders expect the rupee to remain under pressure, with the RBI focused on curbing volatility rather than defending a specific exchange-rate level. Separately, investors assessed India’s unemployment rate rising to 5.2% in April 2026 from 5.1%, the highest since October, as elevated energy prices and disruptions in Persian Gulf shipping routes reduced purchasing power.
