India, May 15 -- The Indian rupee slipped to an all-time low of 96.05 against the US dollar on Friday, weakening by 0.3% and breaching the 96-mark for the first time on record. The previous lowest level stood at 95.9575 per dollar.

Currency markets have remained under pressure amid rising global crude oil prices and persistent concerns over India's widening import bill. Brent crude hovered near USD 110 per barrel, adding strain to the rupee, which is highly sensitive to energy costs given that India imports nearly 85% of its crude oil requirements.

"The annual rate of inflation based on the All India Wholesale Price Index (WPI) stood at 8.3% (provisional) in April 2026 (over April 2025)," the official statement noted, highlighting broad...