Hales has yet to feature in an ODI, but could open the batting alongside captain Alastair Cook in Bristol next week, although there is no place for Ravi Bopara and England will also be without Stuart Broad.
The 28-year-old seamer will miss the entire series because of injury worries surrounding his right knee.
The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed Broad would seek a "specialist surgical opinion" on the injury, having played a key role in England's recent Test series victory over India.
Many of the players that featured in the 3-1 win over India - 11 in total - are in contention, with Eoin Morgan, Harry Gurney and James Tredwell also selected.
"With the ICC Cricket World Cup now less than six months away our focus over the coming months switches to identifying our strongest possible squad for that competition," said national selector James Whitaker.
"However this is an important series in its own right and we have selected 15 players who we believe will perform well against an Indian side with a strong one day record.
"This series presents an opportunity for players to build on their international and domestic form and demonstrate that they have the ability to win games of cricket for England.
"With plenty of domestic limited overs cricket still to be played this season and a series against Sri Lanka in November before finalising our World Cup squad there are still opportunities for us to consider a number of players who have missed out on selection.
"I would like to wish Alastair [Cook] and the rest of the squad all the very best for what will no doubt be a competitive series."