The rupee rose by 24 paise to trade at 55.49 against the dollar in early trade today at the Interbank Foreign Exchange on continued American currency selling by exporters and some banks.Forex dealers said besides dollar selling by exporters and banks, a higher opening in the equity market also supported the rupee.The rupee had edged up by two paise to close at 55.73 against the dollar in the previous lacklustre session on Friday.