Veteran spinner Daniel Vettori will miss the tests matches through injury, which has given Patel a chance, while batsman Dean Brownlie has been axed after he failed to impress on the recently concluded tour of the West Indies.
National selection manager Kim Littlejohn said: "The tour of India will be a great challenge and experience for this squad
"Unfortunately Daniel Vettori won't recover in time for the test series but his injury has created and opportunity for Jeetan Patel to come back into the side. Jeetan has been in great from for Warwickshire and deserves his opportunity.
"James Franklin has been brought into the squad to bolster the batting. He brings a lot of experience and knowledge of playing in Indian conditions which will be invaluable."
The first test is at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad.
Squad: Ross Taylor (c) (Central Stags), Trent Boult (Northern Knights), Doug Bracewell (Central Stags), Daniel Flynn (Northern Knights), James Franklin (Wellington Firebirds), Martin Guptill (Auckland Aces), Chris Martin (Auckland Aces), Brendon McCullum (Otago Volts), Tarun Nethula (Central Stags), Jeetan Patel (Wellington Firebirds), Tim Southee (Northern Knights), Kruger van Wyk (Central Stags), Neil Wagner (Otago Volts), BJ Watling (Northern Knights), Kane Williamson (Northern Knights).
