The rupee today depreciated by 24 paise to 53.92 against the dollar in early trade on the Interbank Foreign Exchange on fresh demand for the US currency.

Forex dealers said month-end dollar demand from oil importers and dollar's gain against other currencies overseas, also put pressure on the rupee.

However, a higher opening in the equity market, capped the rupee's losses, they said.

The rupee had ended almost unchanged at 53.