As it stands, England have resisted the option of playing three frontline seamers for the first time on the tour.
The picturesque Dharamsala ground is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas, with much cooler temperatures than anything experienced in the series so far.
But all-rounder Stokes said any “pre-conceived ideas” England had about their team selection were altered by their impression of the pitch.
“We definitely came here looking at playing three seamers, purely because of how the weather has been like,” Stokes told BBC Sport.
“Turning up, the wicket looks pretty flat, but also looks like it might have some pace and carry. The bowlers had a bowl in the middle yesterday and said there is a lot more movement in the air than anywhere else we’ve been, because of the conditions and where we are.”
Stokes, 32, has been working his way back to full fitness after having knee surgery in November. At various times during the tour he has hinted at being able to bowl competitively for the first time since July, but said selection for the fifth Test was done with him planning not to bowl.
“The knee is good. It’d been ticking over and progressing well,” he said.
“We have picked a team without indication of me bowling 5-10 overs and I’m confident my four frontline bowlers and Joe Root’s off-spin is going to be enough.”
Batter Jonny Bairstow will win his 100th cap, becoming the 17th England man to reach the milestone in Test cricket. For India, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will also mark a century of Test caps.