Mumbai: The rupee today plunged by 48 paise to hit its life-time low of Rs 57.54 in early trade on heavy dollar demand and the US currency strengthening against major rivals overseas.

The rupee had lost 22 paise to close below the key 57-mark at 57.06 on Friday against US dollar for the first time in a year.

Meanwhile, the BSE benchmark Sensex 136.99 points, or 0.71 per cent, to 19,566.22. in early trade.