The rupee was down by 30 paise at Rs 49.48 per US dollar in early trade on Thursday on fresh demand for the American currency from banks and importers amid a stronger dollar in the overseas markets.

The rupee resumed lower at Rs 49.42/43 per dollar on the Interbank Foreign Exchange (forex) market, as against its previous close of Rs 49.18/19 per dollar, and moved down further to Rs 49.48 per dollar before quoting at Rs 49.36/37 per dollar at 10.30 a.m.