Goa, May 15 -- The Indian rupee slipped below the crucial 96-mark for the first time ever during intraday trade on Friday, weighed down by soaring crude oil prices, a strengthening US dollar and persistent foreign fund outflows.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 95.86 against the US dollar before sliding sharply to an all-time low of 96.14, marking a fall of 50 paise from the previous close. The domestic currency had earlier closed at 95.64 on Thursday after briefly touching a record low of 95.96.

Forex traders said the USD/INR pair remains under intense pressure due to weak foreign direct investment inflows, global uncertainties and continued outflow of foreign capital. Analysts also pointed to relatively hi...