On Friday, the Indian rupee fell past the 96-per-dollar mark, hitting an intra-day low of 96.14 against the US dollar. This decline was driven by a stronger dollar, which rose to a 99.30 index level, and escalating crude oil prices, now around $109 per barrel. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) intervened, helping the rupee settle at 95.97 per dollar, compared to the previous close of 95.77. Concerns over India's widening trade deficit, which reached $28.38 billion in April, further pressured the currency. The rupee has depreciated 6.35% this year, making it the weakest currency in Asia. Analysts predict that if oil prices remain high, the benchmark 10-year government bond yield could rise towards 7.25%, impacting inflation and fiscal stability. The RBI's interventions are expected to continue, but without new triggers, the rupee may stabilize around 96-96.25 per dollar. The risk of it reaching 100 per dollar remains, highlighting ongoing economic vulnerabilities.