The Indian rupee has slipped to a new record low of 88.33 against the US dollar as of September 2025, reflecting a mix of global and domestic pressures on the economy.
What’s Driving the Fall?
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US Tariff Hike: The US recently increased tariffs on Indian goods by 25%, totaling almost 50% duties on several products. This has worsened India’s export competitiveness, especially in industries like textiles and engineering goods, and spooked foreign investors.
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Foreign Investment Outflows: In the last three trading days alone, foreign investors withdrew about $2.4 billion from Indian equity markets amid uncertainty, further straining demand for the rupee.
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Higher Import Costs: A weaker rupee makes crude oil, gold, electronics, and other major imports costlier, which can lead to higher inflation and put more pressure on India’s trade deficit.
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Market Speculation & Hedging: Importers and traders are holding more dollars to hedge against further falls, pushing the rupee lower. Speculators are also betting against the currency, adding to the downward momentum.
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Central Bank Intervention: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been intervening to stabilize the market but has so far only slowed, not stopped, the currency’s slide.
What Does This Mean for India?
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More Expensive Imports: Everyday goods like fuel, smartphones, and even medicines could get costlier, squeezing household budgets.
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Pressure on Inflation: Rising import costs may drive up prices for a range of goods, making inflation harder to control.
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Trade Deficit Concerns: As imports rise and exports face tougher US tariffs, India’s trade deficit could widen, putting further stress on the rupee.
What’s Next?
Analysts say the rupee may remain under pressure unless there’s an improvement in US-India trade relations or major changes in the global financial environment. The RBI is expected to keep intervening if volatility spikes, but sustained recovery may require changes to tariffs or stronger global investor confidence.
Summary:
The rupee’s fall to its all-time low is mainly due to higher US tariffs, nervous foreign investors, and costlier imports. This makes things more expensive in India and keeps the economy under pressure. For daily updates and deeper insights, refer to the full blog link.
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