India central bank sells dollars pre-open to defend rupee floor

The Reserve Bank of India intervened before market open by selling U.S. dollars via state-run banks, aiming to reinforce the rupee and curb speculative dollar strength. This replicated midweek actions and helped the rupee open firmer. The intervention is seen as a signal that the central bank is drawing a line under the 88.00 level, especially amid volatile flows. Traders view the move as preventive — not necessarily trend-changing — but likely to limit sharp rupee downside on weak global cues.