The Indian rupee gained 7 paise to 44 rupees 50 paise per US dollar on mild selling of dollars in early trade on Tuesday on the Interbank Foreign Exchange. The rupee resumed higher at 44 rupees 54 paise per dollar on the Interbank Foreign Exchange, as against the overnight closing level of 44 rupees 57 paise per dollar, and moved up further to 44 rupees 50 paise per dollar before quoting at 44 rupees 55 paise per dollar in the afternoon trade. However, in the New York market, the US dollar gained against most major rivals as investors sold the euro and off loaded equities on Monday after a poorly received round of European bank stress tests amid sovereign debt worries at home and in Europe.